Ballard Glenn Marsh

Ballard Glenn Marsh, 96, of the Idlewild community of West Jefferson, passed away on Sept. 11, 2017. A military funeral will take place at Pine Swamp Baptist Church on Friday, Sept. 15, 2017 at 11:00 am The family will receive friends at Badger Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 5:00-7:00pm.

Mr. Marsh is survived by Virginia Irene Marsh, his wife of 70 years. Also surviving are three daughters, Janet Zeller of Glendale Springs, Sonja Bennett of Boone, and Sharon Marsh Barr of San Francisco. Mr. Marsh is also survived by 9 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren. He was a devoted and loving husband, father, and grandfather.

A native of Ashe County, Mr. Marsh was the son of Abner and Jane Woodruff Marsh. He was preceded in death by four sisters, a half-brother, and a half-sister.

He worked on the Blue Ridge Parkway and for almost 30 years at Sprague Electric Company.

Mr. Marsh was a veteran of World War II, serving in the Marine Corp. in the Pacific Theater. He was awarded a Purple Heart for the Battle of Okinawa.

Throughout his life, Mr. Marsh was an avid sportsman, both a hunter and a fisherman. He was also a farmer and an excellent gardener. Mr. Marsh was at home in nature and could tell time without a watch within 15 minutes.

The family would appreciate memorial donations to the American Lung Association.