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Bud Ballard, last Democrat to hold local office, dies

Bouquets of roses were placed on doors to the clerk of superior court’s office in Fayetteville Tuesday in memory of long-time former clerk W.A. “Bud” Ballard, who died Monday.

Ballard, 78, is survived by his wife, Jo Ballard, and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held today at 2 p.m. at Woolsey Baptist Church. The family will receive visitors at Mowell Funeral Home prior to the service between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Ballard first took office in 1969 when Fayette County had a population of just over 11,000.

Ballard saw the office grow tremendously in his 32 years as court clerk. He started with just two employees including himself; when he left office in 2000 the staff had grown to 19.

Ballard was the last city- or county-level Democrat officeholder when he was defeated by Republican Sheila Studdard four years ago. He steadfastly refused to switch from the party of his forebears in order to ride the rising GOP tide in Fayette.

As he left the courthouse behind, Ballard continued the family tradition of farming on his Woolsey tract that he had worked all his life. — From staff reporters.