THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, February 17, 1997 TAG: 9702170025
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B6 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 38 lines
Earl Leland ``Bill'' Ballenger of the 7300 block of Glenroie Ave., died Feb. 16, 1997.
Bill was born in Goldsboro, N.C., son of the late William Bryon and Lula Daughtry Ballenger. Bill loved and believed in his country. He served her well in the Navy for 35 years. He was a veteran of World War II, Korean Conflict and Vietnam. Most of the war years were spent in the Southwest Pacific. Among his many medals and commendations, Bill treasured most of the letter of commendation from President Harry S. Truman after the Battle of Iwo Jima stating the president's thanks and appreciation and ``As one of the Nation's finest, you undertook the most severe task one can be called to perform.'' During Bill's service career he attended various Navy schools with emphasis on celestial navigation, piloting, radar, radio and military justice. Ever the student, he attended Old Dominion University and University of Virginia during tours of duty in the area. He made a thorough study of the Civil War era while writing a paper on its battlefields and war plans.
Bill's fraternal memberships include Khedive Temple, Scottish Rite Bodies and the Legion of Honor Unit of Norfolk, the Pearl Harbor Lodge of Hawaii and the California Freemasonry Jurisdiction. His service memberships include Fleet Reserve Association Branch 60, plank owner of the USS Cincinnati, USS William C. Cole and USS Amick; and the US Navy Memorial in Washington D.C., where many of his memorabilia are on film. His church affiliation was Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church and the Golden Oldies.
Bill's survivors include his wife, Sara Hurdle, and family members living in North Carolina, Alabama, Arizona, California, Missouri and Maryland.
The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday in Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church, 288 E. Little Creek Road, Norfolk, by the Rev. William Amon and Robert Eason. Burial will follow in Beaver Hill Cemetery, Edenton, N.C. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to a charity or church of choice. Altmeyer Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
KEYWORDS: DEATH OBITUARY