Raleigh - Andrew "Drew" Joseph Ballard, age 40, passed away on April 1, 2025 at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina. Drew was born April 15, 1984, in Saint Louis, Missouri, to Mark Joseph Ballard and Lana Kay (Davis) Ballard, of Mount Vernon, Illinois.

Drew graduated from Mount Vernon Township High School in 2002. He joined the US Marine Corp after graduating and did his basic training at MCRD San Deigo, California, and combat training at Camp Pendleton, California, after basic training. He then transferred to U.S.A.F. base in Pensacola, Florida where he completed helicopter maintenance school. He was then assigned to his permanent duty station at New River Marine Air Base in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He was twice deployed to Al Asad Air Base in Iraq where he was night supervisor in charge of maintenance for all twenty-two of his squadron's helicopters. He was honorably discharged in 2007.

He attended Rend Lake College and then moved to Raleigh, North Carolina. He opened his own business, Drew Ballard Consulting, LLC in 2018. He was in charge of redevelopment in the manufacturing industry overseeing subcontractors in the installation of new product lines.

Drew is survived by his daughters: Ashlynn Kay Ballard, Austyn Shay Ballard, and Finleigh Jane Ballard; his parents, Mark and Lana Ballard; sister; Johanna (Ballard) Estes and her husband, Kraig Estes; four nieces: Charlotte, Lilah, Penelope, and Isabel Estes; and his children's mother, Kristi Ballard.

Drew was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents: William and Irma (Windes) Ballard and his maternal grandparents, Charles and Jean (Copeland) Davis.

Drew was an avid saltwater fisherman and enjoyed spending time outdoors camping and hiking with his daughters. He loved spending time at the beach with family and friends. He was an excellent cook and loved to grill. He was outgoing and never met a stranger. Drew will be sadly missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

A Greeting of Family and Friends will be held Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Central Christian Church, North 10th Street Mount Vernon, Illinois. A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 1:00 pm. Pursuant to his wishes, he asked those attending to wear bright colors and avoid black. His ashes will be scattered at a private ceremony on Topsail Island, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to woundedwarriorproject.org/donate in care of Hughey Funeral Home.

Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.