10/05/2024
Honoring the life and service to our country of US Army World War I Veteran, Private Martin Luther Ballard on the 56th year of his passing. Born in Center, Shelby County, Texas, to Willie Bowlin and Aquilla Whittaker Ballard. Grew up in a large family of four sisters and four brothers on a farm in Shelby County.
Two months following the United States entry into the World War, Martin, at age 25, registered for the military draft on June 5, 1917. His registration card noted residence as Shelbyville, employment as a farmer, single, no prior military service, and exemption claimed due to support of his mother. He was described as short and of medium build with gray eyes and dark brown hair.
Fourteen months later, on August 27, 1918, Martin took the oath of enlistment at the county seat of Center and became Private Ballard, serial # 3980836. He and other inductees were then sent to Camp Travis, San Antonio, Texas for basic training with 46 Company, 12 Battalion, 165 Depot Brigade. He was then assigned to Company H of the 86 Infantry Regiment, 18 Division, that had been constituted on July 31, 1918, at Camp Travis. With the World War ending on November 11, 1918, his regiment never left Camp Travis, and Martin was honorably discharged on January 21, 1916, up demobilization. Awarded the World War I Victory Medal that would be available the following year 1920.
Returning to civilian life, Martin married Bessie Wimberly, and they raised a daughter and five sons. At the time of his death at Memorial Hospital in Center, October 5, 1968, age 76, he was a retired pipeline construction worker. Funeral services at Mangum Funeral Home Chapel on October 6, 2:00 p.m., with Rev. Gerald Pepper officiating. Burial in the Brookland Cemetery, Shelby County, Texas. Wife Bessie would join him ten years later in 1978. Day is done, God is nigh.
