Edmund Wayne Ballard

Edmund “Wayne” Ballard, 88, of Owensboro, passed away Saturday, April 25,2026 at his residence surrounded by his family while under the care of Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky. He was born May 12, 1937, in Louisville, to the late Edmund and Mary Howard Ballard. He spent most of his life living in Stanley, KY, and married Linda Mills in 1983.

Wayne retired from the United States Air Force. His service in Vietnam was highlighted by 408 POW rescue missions as a medic, the most of any combat medic during the war. After his Air Force career, Wayne spent 17 years in maintenance for Commonwealth Aluminum. His biggest passion was sailing. Early in his marriage he bought a sailboat and he and his wife took many journeys, even as far as the Bahamas. Wayne founded the Owensboro Sailing Club in the 1990’s to share his passion with others. He enjoyed several years of RV travel with Linda around the country, including trips to Pensacola, FL annually to help harvest fruit for a local food bank.

He was a devoted family man, as well as a woodworker, UK basketball fan, and lover of his Caramel Frappe’s from McDonald’s. For 8 years Wayne coordinated DAV van trips to the VA for other veterans.

Along with her parents, she was also preceded in death by brothers Raymond Ballard and Stephen Ballard, as well as a sister, Mary Ellen Brown.

Wayne is survived by his wife of 43 years, Linda; sons, Jim Ballard, and Bill (Jennifer) Ballard; daughter, Anna Lisa Ballard; granddaughter, Elisabeth Ledeay (Kevin), with a great-grandson due in October. Wayne is also survived by a brother, Michael Ballard; sisters, Marie Blumeier, Anna Jean Houghton (Bill), Helen June “Rosie” Cox (Ken), and Nancy O’Bryan (Richard), along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The funeral service for Wayne will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday at Sts. Joseph and Paul Catholic Church with Fr. Mike Williams officiating. Entombment to follow at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. with prayers at 5:30. Then visitation on Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at Sts. Joseph and Paul Catholic Church.

Care by Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of contributions to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. stjude.org

Memories and condolences for the family of Edmund “Wayne” Ballard may be left at www.glenncares.com