Ashby L. Ballard, 79, of Charleston went home to be with his Lord on Oct. 21, 2003. Ashby was surrounded by his loving family.He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil C. and Ruby Price Ballard of Danville, W.Va., and was their only child. He graduated from Scott High School and went to Mountain State Business College and graduated with an associate's degree in business. He was drafted into the Navy in 1943 and transferred to the Marines in 1944, where he stayed until May of 1946. He then immediately started working at Libby Owens-Ford, where he was the supervisor of Bonus and Payroll until its closure in 1980. He then joined Jackson & Kelly as director of Purchasing from 1981 to 1986.Ashby and his family were avid campers and after his retirement he and wife, Libby, camped from spring to fall. He successfully lobbied the legislature for the 50 percent reduction in camping fees for senior citizens. He was a charter member of the Pitch n' Pull Camping Club, a member of the Mountaineer Sam's & NCHA. They love their camping family. Ashby was also a member of the American Legion and the Kanawha City Lions and enjoyed working their annual Arts & Craft Show.Ashby is survived by Elizabeth, his loving wife of 52 years; son, Dana and wife, Deana, of Xenia, Ohio; daughters, Debi Scott and husband, Bob, of Charleston, and Donna McNeely and husband, Danny, of Charlotte, N.C. He is also survived by the grandchildren he loved and adored, Jennifer Fisher, Rob and Jason Scott, Bethany McNeely, Jack McDaniel, Logan, Loren, Landon, Larson, and Lucas Ballard; and the great-grandchildren that he showered with hugs and kisses, Kristen and Cameron Fisher, and also his grandchildren's spouses, Danny Fisher and April Scott.Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 24, 2003, at Kanawha City Church of Christ with Minister Paul Huyghebaert and Homer Fink officiating. Burial will follow at Madison Memory Gardens, Madison, W.Va.Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 23, at the church.Mr. Ballard's family would like to thank the wonderful staff at CAMC Memorial South and especially Trina Brown and Kim Ashcraft. Also a very loving thank you to the terrific staff of Hubbard Hospice House who became a second family to the Ballards.Contributions may be sent to Hubbard Hospice House, 1001 Kennawa Drive, Charleston, WV 25311. A big thank you to their church family for the cards, foods, and visits while Ashby was ill.J. E. Johnson Funeral Home in Kanawha City is in charge of the arrangements