C Leslie Ballard

Former Snowflake, Arizona Mayor, C. Leslie Ballard died quietly in Snowflake surrounded by many of his family members. He was 87 years old. He was born on August 28, 1921 in Snowflake, Arizona to the late Charles and Belva (Willis) Ballard. Leslie married his "Christmas Angel", Melva Rogers, who was born on Christmas day in 1923, on June 12, 1942 in the Mesa, Arizona Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In 1989, the two of them served a mission for The Church to the Alabama Birmingham Mission. She preceded him in death on June 20, 2007, just after celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary. Throughout his life, Leslie owned and operated Ballard Brothers' Garage in Snowflake where he was trusted and well known by just about everyone in the town. Leslie was a service oriented man and spent much of his life in service to his community. In the late 1950's into the early 1960's, he served as a councilman on the Snowflake Town Council and was appointed Mayor of Snowflake during his tenure. Leslie also served on the Snowflake Elementary School Board and, for a time, served as its president. He was also a member of the Snowflake Fire Department for over 30 years. C. Leslie Ballard is survived by 2 sons: Kerry L. Ballard (Judy) of Snowflake, Arizona, Steven D. Ballard of Sandy, Utah; 2 daughters: Sherilyn Barney (Willard) of Chandler, Arizona, Wendie Tysor of Spokane, Washington; 3 sisters: Nadine Wynder (Reed) of Canada, June Reidhead of Heber, Arizona, Shelia Eldredge (Boyd) of Flagstaff, Arizona; 21 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren. Public visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 P.M., Friday, February 13, 2009 at Owens Livingston Mortuary - Heritage Chapel, 84 E. 19th South in Snowflake. The funeral service will begin at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, February 14, 2009 at the Snowflake Stake Center of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 175 W. 9th Street in Snowflake where additional visitation will begin 1 hour prior. Interment will follow at the R.V. "Mike" Ramsay Memorial Cemetery in Snowflake.