Derryl Ray Ballard was born on April 18, 1934, in Sedalia, Texas to Wade and Johnnie Hooker Ballard. He married Shirley Jean Morris on June 4, 1955 in Durant, Oklahoma. He passed away on March 8, 2016, in Greenville, Texas, at the age of 81 years after a brief illness.

Aside from a two year stay in Washington state while serving in the US Army, he lived the majority of his life in Grayson, Collin and Fannin counties in North Texas. Derryl was a retired business owner. Derryl considered his farm and farming activities his hobby and he remained perpetually renewed by observing each year's crop develop, grow and flourish. Derryl also enjoyed flying as a hobby in earlier days and obtained his license for both single and multi-engine aircraft.

Derryl was preceded in death by his loving wife of 58 years, Shirley Morris Ballard, his parents Wade and Johnnie Ballard of Trenton, Texas and his one brother, Billy Wade Ballard of Colorado Springs. He is survived by his two children, Vicki Fletcher of Greenville, Texas and son Derryl (Rick) Ballard Jr., of Dallas, Texas, one grandson, Jody Fletcher and his wife Lydia Fletcher of Van Alstyne, Texas and one great grandson, Joey Fletcher of Van Alstyne, Texas. He has two nephews, Mark Ballard and Tony Ballard, both in Colorado.

The family of Derryl Ray Ballard would like to thank his friends, as well as their own, for their ongoing concern, inquiry and support over the last several years. There will be no formal service per Mr. Ballard's wishes.