SALISBURY – Willie Edward Ballard, affectionately called “Ballard,” 50, of 1203 W. Horah St., died Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007, at his residence.

Mr. Ballard was born July 2, 1956, in Salisbury to the late Annie Sue Ballard Borders and the late Doug McKenzie. He was reared by Lillie Mae Stockton of Salisbury. A graduate of Salisbury High School, class of 1975, he attended Virginia State University in Richmond, Va. He was employed with Wal-Mart.

Mr. Ballard previously attended Mount Zion CME Church and had previously served in the U.S. National Guard. He was a member of the Cancer Club and the Shining Star Club.

He is survived by his wife, Gloria Logan Ballard of the home; son LaBronze Gillespie, Salisbury; daughters Gwendolyn Gillespie and Michelle Gillespie, both of Salisbury; brothers Daniel Borders, Concord, Jeffrey Borders (Pam), Winston-Salem; foster brothers Larry Scarbough, Winston-Salem, Christopher Scarbough, Salisbury, and Sylvester Scarbough, Miami, Fla.; sisters Bishop Carolyn Archie (Evangelist Robert), Salisbury, Jacqueline “Jackie” Cherry, Greensboro, Gwendolyn Seamon, (Douglas), Salisbury; foster sisters Kathy (Lafayette) Long, Charlotte, and Lois Scarbough, Salisbury; maternal grandmother Cherry Jones, Salisbury; mother-in-law Marion Logan of the home; special niece Gloria Jean Phillips (Thomas), Jacksonville; and nine grandchildren.

Service: Sunday at 2 p.m. in Noble & Kelsey’s A.R. Kelsey Memorial Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Beverly Rose, pastor of Mount Zion CME Church, officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery.

Visitation: 1:30 p.m. Sunday in the chapel. The family is also receiving friends at the home at 1203 W. Horah St.

Online condolences may be sent to noblekelsey@aol.com.