Charles “Sonny” Ballard, age 89, of Paducah, passed away Tuesday, November 3, 2026, at the Ray & Kay Ecksein Hospice Care Center. Sonny was born on September 10, 1937, to James Martin Ballard and Rose Nell Brown Ballard. Sonny was a long-time member of the St. John Catholic Church, where he served on various committees. Sonny was of the generation that knew how to work and raise a family at the same time and did it well. He loved his outdoor life and found time for camping, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, and farming.
Sonny retired as a glazier for Jones Glass Company; he installed glass frames and doors in many large businesses in the 4-state area.
Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Margaret Neihoff Ballard; one daughter, Phyllis (Tim) Ball, of Paducah, Kentucky; and four sons, Steve Leslie) Ballard, Paducah, Kentucky; Richard (Carmela) Ballard, Paducah, Kentucky; Keith (Kendra) Ballard, Boaz, Kentucky; and Terry Ballard, Paducah, Kentucky; one sister, Daisy Dowdy, Cuba, Kentucky; two brothers, William “Billy” Ballard and Tommy (Nancy) Ballard, Mayfield, Kentucky; 14 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Preceding in death were his parents; granddaughter, Kayla Ballard; and one brother, John Ed Ballard.
Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, November 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Catholic Church with Father Mike Clark officiating. Burial will follow the service at St. John Catholic Church Cemetery.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, November 8, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Lone Oak Chapel of Milner & Orr Funeral Home. Prayers will be held at 4:30 p.m.
Pallbearers will be Joshua, Shawn Patrick, Johnathon, Robert, and Jeff.
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