Wendell Witherspoon Ballou, Jr.

Wendell “Wendy” Witherspoon Ballou, Jr., 77, of Pittsboro, died Sunday, February 5, 2023 at his home.  Born in Durham, he was the son of the late Wendell Witherspoon Ballou, Sr. and Vera “Vee” Ann Martin Eitelman, and stepfather Lawrence Few Williams.  He was raised Methodist, later in life attending Catholic services and had accepted Our Lord as his Savior.  A prankster at heart from an early age, he enjoyed making others smile.  After graduating from Durham High School, he joined the United States Air Force as an aerospace security policeman, rising to the rank of Sergeant.  He received Air Force Commendations for providing security for President Johnson during his visit to Southeast Asia, and also for directing security at the Nevada crash site of a United States Air Force SR-71 “Blackbird” reconnaissance aircraft in 1967.  After serving the United States, he attended Kings College in Raleigh.  In 1972 he joined Burroughs Wellcome as a Research Technician upon the grand opening of their new facility in Research Triangle Park, NC, and later served as their corporate pilot.  While with Burroughs Wellcome, he became Raleigh AM station WPTF’s afternoon pilot traffic reporter, which he continued well into the 1980s.  He was employed by the State of NC in 1989, serving North Carolina through the 1990s before obtaining his commercial driver’s license and driving for Kenan Transport.  He filled his spare time with many outdoor hobbies, including hiking (with his beloved dogs), scuba diving, and flying, having earned his FAA commercial pilot’s license. 

Mr. Ballou is survived by his sister, Judith Kaye Ballou Hamm (Kenneth), nephew Steven Hamm (Maggie), niece Susan Hunnell (Eddie), great-nephews Kendall Hamm, Aaron Hamm, and Austin Hunnell and great-nieces Rachael Hamm, Sydney Hunnell, and Isabella Hunnell. 

Memorial donations can be made in Wendell’s name to the Disabled American Veterans, the Wounded Warrior Project, your local Humane Society or the charity of your choosing.  The family will hold a private memorial for Wendy at a later date.  Donaldson Funeral Home & Crematory is honored to serve the Ballou family.  Memorial tributes can be left on the Donaldson tribute wall www.Donaldsonfunerals.com