W. Max Ballard

Spartanburg, SC- Walter Max Ballard, Sr., 83, husband of Frances Louise Coggins Ballard, died Monday, April 27, 2015. Born February 29, 1932 in Spartanburg, SC, Max was a son of the late Walter Ranze and Nellie Foster Ballard. He attended Spartanburg High School and honorably served his country in the US Navy during the Korean War. He was an insurance agent for over 42 years and was an active member of Westgate Baptist Church, where he was known as the “Candy Man.” Max trained with Pappy Gault boxing team and was a Navy East Coast Boxing Champion. In addition to his wife of 59 years, Max is survived by three sons, Max Ballard (Ellen) of Chesnee, SC, Jeff Ballard (Doris) of Pauline, SC, and Richard Ballard (Bethany) of Huntingburg, IN; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two brothers, Fred Ballard (Greta) of Summerville, SC, and Jerry Ballard (Annette) of Spartanburg, SC; a sister, Patricia Dobbins (Fred) of Chesnee, SC; and a brother in-law, Fred “Billy” Coggins (Joyce) of Boiling Springs, SC. He was predeceased by a daughter, Cynthia Ballard; a sister, Earline Cannon; and three brothers, Jack, Bobby, and Ray Ballard. The family will receive friends Thursday, April 30th, 6:00-8:00PM at Dunbar Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held Friday, May 1st, 11:00AM at Westgate Baptist Church, officiated by Reverend Tony Seiber. In remembrance of Max, memorials may be made to Westgate Baptist Church Missions Fund, 1990 Old Reidville Road, Spartanburg, SC 29301, Alzheimer’s Association, 901 S. Pine Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302, or to Lutheran Hospice, 429 N. Main Street, Suite 3, Greenville, SC 29601.