Alfred "Al" Wayne Ballard

Alfred Wayne Ballard was born to Glenn Ballard and Frances (Nelson) Ballard on February 23, 1948. He lived a life full of friendship, love, and a little bit of orneriness. He was a good big brother to his three younger sisters Judith, Marylin, and Linda, but occasionally he would torment them. In his youth he was involved in the Boy Scouts, where his older brother LeRoy was his Scout Master. Rather than pursue becoming an Eagle he sought to be Assistant Scout Master and help his brother with all the young men in the troop. He received the Order of the Arrow Achievement in the Boy Scouts.

He enlisted in the Army on November 20, 1967 with his best friend Larry Brown, they were both deployed to Vietnam. After 14 months deployed overseas, he returned to the United States of America and a little while after met the love of his life Joyce Kliegl. Their first date was to Banner where they shot guns, one of his favorite hobbies. They married on December 18, 1971, this date so happened to be after deer, turkey, and pheasant seasons. Alfred was involved in the Oddfellows Lodge and Joyce became active as well on the women’s side of the lodge. Again, his brother LeRoy was a contributing factor towards his involvement.

On September 24, 1977 they welcomed their first son Matthew James into the family. Two years later Mark Joseph was born. He was a loving father; he could be firm and was often the disciplinarian but he wanted to be active in his boys’ lives.

Over the years he had many different jobs but one job that was a constant was his Iowa Army National Guard service. He was in the National Guard for 17 years and 8 months, during this time he earned the expert badge in M-16 and .45 caliber before receiving an honorable discharge in September of 1992. It was not until 2000 that he found his vocational calling. He began working at the Iowa Correctional Institute for Women in Mitchellville. This was the last job he would have as he had a stroke while working there in December of 2004.

The stroke was related to his exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam, and this caused him to be medically disabled but it did not stop him from going out and doing the things he loved. He continued to fish which he did really well. He also would hunt but often was out just for the time in the field. He loved being outdoors. One of his later obsessions was digging thistle weeds out of the ground to prevent them from spreading or annoying him.

On July 28, 2024, he passed with his loving wife, youngest son, and LeRoy’s daughter Louise in the room with him to assist him in the transition. He was proceeded in death by his parents Glenn and Frances, his three older brothers, Myron, LeRoy and Roger, and his spiritual brother Larry. He is survived by his wife Joyce, two sons Matthew and Mark, his grandson Logan, and his younger sisters Judith, Marylin, and Linda as well as many nieces and nephews. After the funeral service the family invites everyone to a bonfire to celebrate Al's life at 7:30 p.m. 1990 Se 60th St. Des Moines, Iowa 50327.

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