Walter Ballard obit

Walter Harvey Ballard Sr.

January 12, 1933 – October 26, 2024

 

He was not on the list.

Walter Harvey Ballard, Sr. Walter Harvey Ballard, Sr. was born January 12, 1933, in Summerdale, Alabama–the second of six boys. Walter is preceded in death by his mother and father, Bernice Louise Ballard and Victor Ballard, Sr.; his first wife, Rose Ballard; his second wife, Katy Ballard; and his daughter, Anna Marie Lorenzo. Walter left behind his six children: Wayne and Catherine Henton, Walter Harvey Ballard, Jr., Clinton and Christine Ballard, Stony and Jerry Ann Ballard, Danny and Kim Ballard, and Lessa Krapish. Also, he has left behind his five brothers, Carlos and Martha, Donald and Merry, Victor and Linda, Harold and Rita and Ernest and Beverly, as well his fifteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

Equipped with but a ninth-grade education, Walter left home at an early age to pursue his dreams. After serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean War as a Sergeant in France, he went on to make a successful life built on self-education that included numerous businesses, all surrounded by automobiles. Walter’s biggest accomplishment was being the first winner of the NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year in 1971. He went on to race until having a heart attack, but remained a part of racing as a racecar owner, having drivers drive for him. His wife Katy was just as involved in the industry, being one of the first to start the NASCAR ladies organization.

In lieu of flowers, since Walter was an avid supporter of St. Jude’s and Wounded Warriors, it would be preferred that a gift be given to one of these organizations in his honor.

In 1971, Ballard ran a nearly-full season in a car owned by his father Vic, capturing 11 top-tens, a tenth-place finish in points, and the Rookie of the Year Award.

In the 1972 Daytona 500, Ballard's car flipped in the race. On lap 19 of the race, his car ramped over Buddy Baker's car on the front stretch wall and flipped over where it flipped another two times in the grass before landing on all four wheels. Ballard and Baker were both ok from the wreck. Despite the flip, Ballard had an even better season in 1972, collecting 7 top-tens and a sixth-place finish in points. He continued to race full-time with his family-owned team until 1975, and competed part-time in the 1976 and 1977 seasons before retiring from the series after 1977.

Ballard's best result in the Winston Cup Series was a third-place finish in the 1971 Space City 300 at Meyer Speedway in Houston, Texas.

A funeral service and reception for Walter will be held Thursday, October 31, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Kingwood Funeral Home, 22800 Highway 59 North, Kingwood, TX 77339.