Died 1 February 1905 (date calculated)

Burial in National Naval Cemetery in San Francisco

#1-Published in Pilot on 6 February 1905

Last Wednesday afternoon, John Ballard received a telegram from the navy department at San Francisco which brought him the sad news that his son had died at 11:30 a.m. (1:30 by our time) at the navy hospital at Mare Island. Wednesday morning, Mr. Ballard had received a telegram to the effect that his son was critically ill. One week ago Friday, Lee had written home a very encouraging letter, which was received by his father Monday. The funeral took place at 3 o'clock Friday, at the National Navy Cemetery at San Francisco, where he was buried with military honors. While Lee Ballard was a student at school, his deportment card was marked 100 each month excepting one and at that time it was marked 98. He was always attending to business while at home or in school, and in the navy it was the same. Promotion followed promotion. Before taken sick, he had been promoted till his salary was $30 and after being taken sick he received substantial promotion that would have added materially to his salary could he have lived to return to duty. The exemplary life of the young man is a source of great comfort to his father and the family and to his host of friends, who at this time extend their deep sympathy to the bereaved.

#2-8 Feb., 1905 - Blair Courier - Lee Ballard - Veteran

Lee, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ballard of this city, whose condition was reported as serious in these columns last week, died at 11:30 last Wednesday morning at the Navy Hospital, Mare Island, near San Francisco. The funeral service was held at the National cemetery where he was buried with military honors. Lee had been frequently promoted since he began as naval apprentice a few years ago and was always a favorite with both officers and men. He was a splendid student while in the Blair schools and will be held in loving remembrance by his former teachers and friends. A light has gone out of the lives of his parents that can never be renewed in this world. Their many friends extend the deepest sympathy in this hour of sad bereavement.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~ Find a Grave #5629421