Joe Paul Ballard

Joe “Pa” Paul Ballard, 77, of Muskogee, Oklahoma passed away Saturday, December 31, 2011 in Muskogee. He was born April 21, 1934 to Tommy Ballard and Gladys Battenfield in Braggs, Oklahoma. February 19, 1965 became a very special day to Joe as he and Ms. Mary Lou Hooper were married in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Joe was an iron worker by trade and was a member of the Iron Workers Union Local 584 from which he retired in 1989. He also assisted John Monks at the State Capital. Joe was one of the original pioneers of Muskogee Stock Car Racing. He was a mason and a member of the Bedouin Shrine. Joe loved riding motorcycles, spending time outdoors, but most of all he loved his grandkids and attending all of their activities. Joe was preceded in death by his father, Tommy Ballard, and his mother, Gladys Battenfield. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou of the home; daughters, Ginger Griffith and Jerry Windrix, Ellen Wofford and husband, Jack; son, Joe Hooper and wife, Mita; brothers, Bob Ballard and wife, Margaret, Johnny Lee Lester, and wife, Sue; sister, Dorothy Faye Brown and husband, Steve; grandchildren, Robbie Scott and Jamie Ellis, Erica and Earnie Bales, Jeramy and Kerry Hooper, Malissa Hooper, Jared and Lisa Wofford, Stephanie and Brad Blumhof, Nick Wofford and Blaike Barnes; great grandchildren, Logan Ellis, Caden Ellis, Shayla Ellis, Haley Bales, Story Bales, Tori Hooper, Danny Joe Hooper, Katy Wofford, Amelia Blumhof, and Riley Blumhof. Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m., Friday, January 6, 2012 at York Street Christian Church in Muskogee, Oklahoma with Pastor Gene Thompson and Joe Wofford, Sr. officiating. Interment will follow at Greenhill Cemetery in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Pallbearers will be Robbie Scott Ellis, Jeramy Hooper, Jared Wofford, Nick Wofford, Earnie Bales, Logan Ellis, and Caden Ellis. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Ballard, Johnny Lee Lester, Jerry Windrix, Jack Wofford, Ray Rainey, Bill Battenfield, Tommy Battenfield, Olen Battenfield, Herbert Battenfield, Elbert Battenfield, Jack Battenfield, Richard Battenfield, Junior Battenfield, Bebo Brassfield, Charles Randolph, Darrell Gilbert, and Detis Strickler.

Joe Paul Ballard

April 21, 1934 - December 31, 2011