Bruce Ballard, 54, was born in Spokane on November 2, 1958, and was adopted into the family of Del and Virginia Ballard in July 1959. He passed into his land of peace and solitude on November 20, 2012 after enduring 4 years of treatment for cancer. He died in the loving care of his parents and sister at their home in Richland.

Bruce attended Jefferson grade school, and graduated from Hanford High in 1977. He graduated from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA with a Liberal Arts degree in 1981. Creative writing was his lifelong ambition. Bruce was known for his broad knowledge of many of the world famous writers, and boy was he a whiz at all trivia games. The number of books that he read and enjoyed was uncountable, certainly a substantial portion of the total from the Richland Library. He was one of their better know customers. For several years he wrote book reviews for the Tri-City Herald. Several of those books were purchased, by the Library, from his requests.

In addition to his extensive reading, and spurts of writing, his hobbies included playing poker with his friends, and the making and the tossing of boomerangs. His boomerang collection included several specimens from Australia. He was a special free-spirited, and warm-hearted, individual and will be greatly missed. The outpouring of warm responses on Facebook from his childhood and school friends has been very gratifying for his family - thanks to all of you.

His parents had the pleasure of hosting him and companion, Cindy Dugwyler, on an enjoyable cruise to Alaska, on the Star Princess, during his last summer.

He is survived by his parents, Delbert and Margaret Virginia, sister Diane Kahler, nephews Kyle and Jason Kahler, their father David Kahler, and close friend Cindy Dugwyler; Aunts & Uncles, Thelma Van Sky, Emma Ballard, Louise Ballard, Sue Kelly, Patricia & John Schuette, and a very large number of cousins and extended family members in Montana, Washington, California, and several other states.

Very special thanks are extended to the staff at Kadlec Hospital, and the Tri-Cities Oncology Center for their years of treatment. We all are so grateful to you, Lynn Allen, and for your special love and compassionate care.

An informal gathering to remember and honor his life will be held at Einan's Event Center in Sunset Gardens off the By-Pass Highway in Richland at 2:00PM on Sunday, Dec. 2. Come and share your memories. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Knights of Columbus, KC Help, P.O. 1724, Richland WA 99354; Hospice The Chaplaincy, 1480 Fowler St, Richland, WA 99352; or a Charity of your choice.