George Lovick Ballard, 82, of Fayetteville passed away Tuesday, October 6, 2009, at Carol S. Roberson Hospice Center. Mr. Ballard was born in New Bern, NC, on August 6, 1927, to the late Albert Joseph and Catherine Ballard. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Albert J. Ballard Jr. and Horace Ballard. Mr. Ballard graduated from Oak Ridge Military Institute after which he attended King's Point Merchant Marine Academy in New York. He was a graduate of both the School of Banking at UNC Chapel Hill and the Graduate School of Banking of the South at Louisiana State University. Mr. Ballard joined United Carolina Bank as Vice President and Lumberton City Executive in June 1963. He held this position until he transferred to Fayetteville in 1983. He served as Senior Vice President of UCB until his retirement in 1992. Mr. Ballard has been active in various civic and professional organizations, including serving as past chairman of the Board of Trustees of Southeastern General Hospital, past board member of the Cancer Institute, and past President of Lumberton Chamber of Commerce. In addition, while living in New Bern, Mr. Ballard served on the City Council and the Junior Chamber, and was in the United Fund. He was also the recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for the city of New Bern. He is survived by his loving wife, Marcia M. Ballard; three children, Nancy Ballard Cox of Wilmington, Laurie Ballard Wiseman and husband, Charlie, of Virginia Beach, VA, and George L. Ballard Jr. and wife, Judy, of Virginia Beach; three step-children, Victor M. Gurganious of Fayetteville, Rose G. Spell and husband, Ronald, of Autryville, and Tony M. Gurganious of Surf City, NC; four grandchildren, Matthew Cox, George L. Ballard III., Robert L. Ballard II., and Joseph Wiseman; one brother, Robert L. Ballard and wife, Carolyn, of New Bern, NC. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, from 6 to 8 pm at Jernigan Warren Funeral Home and immediately following the memorial service which will be held Thursday, October 8, 2009, at 2 pm, in Hay Street United Methodist Church with Charles Wiseman and Reverend Donna Fowler-Marchant officiating. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Hay Street United Methodist Church, 320 Hay Street, Fayetteville NC 28301. Services entrusted to Jernigan Warren Funeral Home.