Willie Joe Ballard

Willie Joe Ballard (Joe) was born Willie Joe Ford on April 16, 1942 in Topeka, Kansas, the fourth child of eight of William Ford and Evelyn Ford (nee Stamps). She is preceded in death by her husband, Julius Ballard, her parents and five of her siblings; feisty sister Jean, sporty Maxine, bookish Salatha, big brother Raymond and baby sister Geraldine. Living in a house bursting with love and faith, Joe was an anchor for her siblings and a support to her mother. Joe attended St. Benedict School and Omaha Central High School. At Central, Joe met a young man who was working at a construction site across the street from the school. Julius Ballard was one of the “Mississippi boys;” new arrivals to Omaha who traveled from Shuqualak, Mississippi to work and help build up the city and their lives in Nebraska. Greeted on her walks to school by this dashing young man, the two married in 1962 and welcomed their first son, Julius J.S. Ballard in the years after. Joe and Julius loved to travel and, with their young son in tow, took off in their car for road trips throughout the Midwest. The young family soon settled in a home on John Creighton Blvd. 

More children followed including Theresa, Justin, Treasure, Maurice and Markee. Joe and Julius helped to instill in their children a sense of service and purpose, centered on their lifelong membership at St. John A.M.E Church. While Julius was president of the Usher Board, Joe’s soprano could be heard in the Chancellors Choir, and her legendary sweet potato pie was a favorite at any Women’s Missionary Board function. Joe was known as an orator as well. Her rendition of James Weldon Johnson’s “The Creation” filled the church with the power of her booming voice. She was frequently invited to perform “The Creation” for special occasions at the church. Members of her St. John family remained beloved friends throughout her life. 

Joe was a working mom before it was considered cool. Starting in her teens by helping to support her younger siblings after their father died, Joe worked in Omaha companies including TipTop, where she faced racial hostility with her characteristic toughness and humor, and US National Bank, where she thrived at being a teller at the downtown Omaha branch. Her big, friendly smile and easy laugh made her a favorite among her customers. 

Joe and Julius also gave their time as the president and “first lady” of the Omaha Chapter of the Shuqualakian Club. The club not only brought together Shuqualakians who lived across the nation for a yearly convention, the convention served as a way for Joe and her family to experience her love of travel. Conventions were held across the country including New York City, Las Vegas, Atlanta and Dallas, TX. These conventions were a way that Joe made sure her kids were able to see much of the United States during their childhoods. 

Although she fought challenging health issues in the last years of her life, that did not stop her from giving her kids and grandkids her advice, her wisdom and, often, her sharp wit. She ended every call with them by reminding them “I love you so much, I can’t stand it!” 

Her love sustains us now. 

On April 27th 2026, after a life filled with love, laughter, fun, and friends, an angel came to Joe’s bedside, kissed her cheek and led her to join hands with her beloved Julius once again. She leaves in love her children, Julius J.S. Ballard (Lynn), Theresa Pfister (Jens), Justin Ballard (Rose), Treasure Ballard, Maurice Ballard, and Markee Ballard, beloved sister Charlotte Ballard, and dear brother Bishop John O. Ford, beloved sisters in law, Mildred, J Andrews, and Mattie Ballard. along with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, beloved caregiver Muna Seid, and many dear friends. 

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