Benjamin Todd Ballard, 45 of Centralia, passed October 4, 2021 at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia.

A celebration of Ben's life will take place at Arends Acres, 900 E Canole Road, Sturgeon, MO at 4:00 pm Saturday, October 16, 2021 .

Ben was born on March 13, 1976 in Columbia, the son of Greg and Brenda (Meeks) Ballard.

On September 25, 1999, Ben married the love of his life Kimberl e y North at Perche Church in Clark.

Along with his wife Kim, Ben is survived by his daughter Katie Jo Ballard of the home; his parents Greg and Brenda (Meeks) Ballard: brothers, Grant Ballard and his wife Shannon, and Ty Ballard; nephews Jarrett and Garrison Ballard; grandmother Iola Meeks; mother‐in‐law Florence North; father‐in‐law Mel North; brother‐in‐law Brad North; nephews Daniel, Zack, Josiah, Joshua, and Nathan North; sister‐in‐law Tami North; uncle and aunt Eddie and Connie Whitney; cousins Eddie Whitney and Heather Townsend; uncle and aunt Andy and Sue Meeks; cousins Joe Meeks, Sherra Dimeke and Angie Burkhead.

Ben was an Operating Engineer and a Trustee for Local 513 and loved his work.

Ben was a simple man, loving the time he spent dirt track racing, being with friends, grilling and bumpin ' in his farm truck on gravel roads listening to music and sipping on a cold beer.

His most cherished time was spent with his family especially his wife and daughter, who were his whole world . Ben loved life and will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Ben's greatest pride was watching his daughter succeed in all aspects of life; college and law school were a major step in that direction. In lieu of flowers a memorial donation could be made to the K athryn Ballard Education Fund . Donations can be sent to Fenton ‐Kendrick Funeral Home, 104 S. Collier, Centralia, MO 65240.