Porter Neil (Bud) Ballard, Jr, 73, of 307 E. Fudge Street, Covington, Virginia, died Thursday, March 31, 2011 a the Veterans Medical Center in Salem.

He was born October 18, 1937 in Alleghany County, a son of the late Porter N. Ballard, Sr. and Louise Mines Ballard. Mr. Ballard retried from the U.S. Coast Guard as a CW O3 with 24 years of service.

Bud was formerly employed as an accountant with the Washington Daily News in Washington, DC. He was a former Instructor at Jackson River Technical Center and was formerly employed as an RN with Carilion Health System.

Bud was a member of the Covington Baptist Church and the Curtis A. Smith, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1033.

Bud loved everyone he knew, everyone he met, everyone he taught, everyone he led, every brother and sister in Christ, everyone he laughed with, played with, worked with and everyone loved him.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant brother.

Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Sandy Barnes Ballard of Covington; three daughters, Julia Lynne Ballard of Hillman, TN; Cynthia D. Ballard of Grovetown , GA and Amber N. Ballard of Austin, TX; one son, Stephen L. Ballard of Seattle, Washington; three grandchildren, Addison Ballard and Alexis Ballard, both of Covington and Kaycin Regrai of Roanoke; three sisters, Helen Marshall; Sandra Herman and her husband, Joe and Roselyn Boone and her husband, Roger all of Covington.

The funeral service will be held Monday, April 4, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. in the Covington Baptist Church with the Rev. Chris Poluikis officiating.

The interment will follow in Palestine Chapel Church Cemetery with graveside rites being conducted by the Curtis A. Smith Post 1033, VFW.

The family will receive their friends Sunday afternoon from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at Arritt Funeral Home, Covington, Virginia.