Gene Autry Ballard

FLORENCE - Gene Autry Ballard, 79, of Florence died on Aug. 19, 2017, at home.
Mr. Ballard was born on Jan. 25, 1938, in Chickasha, Oklahoma, to William H. and Hattie May (Horn) Ballard. His family migrated from the reservation in Oklahoma to work in the citrus orchards of Arizona. At age 16 he married Doreen May, and shortly after they started a family. He was a state prison corrections officer in Florence for more than 30 years until retiring.
He volunteered with local food banks and the Baptist Church in Florence and loved watching WWE wrestling on Monday and Tuesday nights, going fishing and to casinos in his free time and competing in fast draw events. He took great pride in being a fast draw world champion at one point in his life.
Survivors include his sons and daughter, Terry, Tony and Tommy Ballard and Diane Myers; eight grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 45 years, his siblings and a grandson, Jacob Ballard.
Memorial service at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 9, at First Baptist Church in Florence.
J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud The Gardens Chapel in charge of arrangements.