B. Joseph Ballard V's Obituary
Joseph Bland Ballard, 64, a public policy leader and advocate for under-served individuals with exceptionalities, died October 9th of congestive heart failure at his home in Lewes, DE.
At the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC), first as Director for Federal Governmental Relations, then as Director of the CEC Department of Public Policy, and even into retirement, Mr. Ballard's work to promote and support education for exceptional children was a lifelong effort. He joined the CEC in 1972, and he was intensively involved for over 27 years in the complex design, enactment, and implementation of national public policy. He played a pivotal role in the passage of numerous pieces of landmark special education legislation. He was also the author, editor and contributor to numerous Council for Exceptional Children publications. In the year before his death, he co-authored the book Special Education Law: A Practitioner's Guide with Kurt Hulett, Ph.D.
Joe was born in Portland, OR on August 20, 1942. He was a graduate of the University of Portland, went to Washington in 1967, and served as a Legislative Aide to Oregon Congresswoman Edith Green from 1967 to 1972. During his university years, he was student body president, editor of the school newspaper and a member of the forensic team. He traveled with the University of Portland's drama department on a USO tour to bases in the Far East in 1965.
An avid reader, theater-goer, late-night conversationalist and Redskin fan, he enjoyed his adopted home town, and lived in Washington, DC until his retirement in 1999, when he moved to Lewes, DE with his life partner, Stephen Lewis, who died in June of 2005.
Survivors include his mother, Fern Way of Portland, OR and his brother, Gerald Way of Salem, OR. He is also survived by a host of friends and the grateful families of the individuals that he helped with his work.
A memorial service will be held on November 18th at 12 Noon at his home in Lewes, DE.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be sent in his name to: The Council for Exceptional Children, Attention: Miriam Jackson,
1110 North Glebe Road, Suite 300, Arlington, VA 22201-5704.
Arrangements were handled by Parsell Funeral Homes & Crematorium, Lewes, DE.
Send online condolences to: [email protected]
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