Charles C. Ballard

Charles C. “Chuck” Ballard, 92, lifetime Kittitas County resident, passed away at his home on Saturday, August 6, 2022 surrounded by his family.  A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, August 15, 2022 at the Swauk-Teanaway Grange Hall.  He will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at the Swauk Cemetery.

Chuck was born on January 28, 1930 in Ellensburg, Washington to Robert and Minnie (Haines) Ballard.  He graduated from Cle Elum High School in 1949 and went to work for the railroad for a year before joining the United States Air Force, serving with the 75th Airborne Division during the Korean War.

After his honorable discharge, Chuck returned home and joined his father on the Ballard Ranch, moving there in 1951. He met Beverly Hubbard during their freshman year of high school and the two were high school sweethearts.  They dated for six years before marrying on June 12, 1952.  They celebrated 70 years together in June 2022.

For 25 years, Chuck was president of the Upper County Translator Corporation, a group of volunteers who provided television service to the outlying areas of the county not served by cable in Cle Elum. He was also a lifelong member of the Cle Elum VFW Post #1373.  Chuck also retired from being a member of Kittitas County Fire District No. 7, donating land for a fire station serving the Swauk and Teanaway areas.

He is survived by his wife Beverly at the family home; son Doug (Renata) of Wenatchee; daughter Becky (Denny) Bradbury of Paradise, Texas and son-in-law Steve Plesha of Cle Elum; sisters Bunny Frederick of Yreka, California and Babs Ballard of Cle Elum as well as ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Jan Plesha, son Greg Ballard, brother Bob Ballard and sister Betty Holloway.

Memorial contributions in Chuck’s honor are suggested to Kittitas County Fire District No. 7, 31 Firehouse Rd, Cle Elum, WA 98922 or to Life Support, PO Box 264, South Cle Elum, WA 98943.

Johnston & Williams Funeral Home and Crematory of Ellensburg has been entrusted with caring for Chuck and his family. Online condolences may be left at www.johnston-williams.com

PLEASE NOTE: (January 11, 2024) -- The recording of this service has been archived and removed from our server.  If you wish to obtain a copy of this recording on a thumb drive, please contact our office.