William "Bill" McClain Ballard, Jr.

William “Bill” McClain Ballard, Jr., 89, of Onawa, Iowa, passed away Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at Burgess Health Center, Onawa, Iowa.

A memorial service will be 2:00 P.M. Saturday, January 6, 2024, at the Goslar Funeral Home Chapel, Onawa, Iowa, with Pastor Clif Cockburn, officiating. A live stream of service will be posted on the Goslar Funeral Home Website with Bill's obituary. Burial will follow in the Kennebec Cemetery, Castana, Iowa, with military honors provided by the United States Army and Grimsley – Thayer American Legion Post #502, of Castana, Iowa. A visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Arrangements are under the directions of Goslar Funeral Home and Monuments, Onawa, Iowa.

William “Bill” was born October 17, 1934 in rural Sidney, Iowa, the son of William McClain Sr. and Alice (Hanford) Ballard. He attended Blockton High School in Blockton, Iowa, and graduated with the class of 1953. Bill proudly served in the United States Army.

William and Marvis Sleep were united into marriage in June of 1958. The couple later divorced. Bill and Myrtle Watson later met in 1979 and enjoyed traveling throughout the Midwest and spending time together.

Bill enjoyed fishing, deer hunting, and coyote hunting. He loved to hangout with his friends and family and enjoyed telling many jokes.

He farmed for over twenty years, while farming he drove a school bus for Ringold County. Bill worked as a scraper operator and a truck driver. Later he worked for Irving Jensen Construction driving a concrete truck.

Survivors include his son, Steve Ballard; daughters, Debbie (partner Cindy Goodman) Ballard, and Sherry Gutzmer; stepchildren, Terry Watson and family, Greg Watson and family, and Jodi Watson; grandchildren; Jennifer (Matt) Schatz, Bill (Rachel) Ballard, Steven (Crista) Ballard, Jeffery (Courtney) Ballard, Zach (Heidi Maranville) Gutzmer, and Tarah Gutzmer; great-grandchildren, Ross Reinert, Vivian Ballard, Norah Ballard, Brinlie Ballard, Emmie Ballard, Bingham Ballard, Winston Ballard, Wilke Ballard, Edison Ballard, and Jaxon Gutzmer; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

He is preceded in death by his companion, Myrtle Watson; parents, William and Alice (Hanford) Ballard; siblings, Ruby, Ralph, Georgie, June, and Beulah.

Condolences may be left online for the family at www.goslarfuneralhome.com

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