On March 31, 1954, Xavier Alan Ballard was born in Saganaw, Michigan. Xavier graduated from Buena Vista High School in 1973. From 1974-1977 Xavier enlisted in the U.S. Army and became an Air Defense Specialist. He lived in Houston Texas 1979-1984, as a Long shore man at the Port of Houston. From 1989-1994 Xavier lived in Flint Michigan as a licensed mechanic.
In May 1994, Xavier moved to Louisville Kentucky, where he trained as a Peer Counselor at the Healing Place. In June 1996, he married Joyce P. Phillips. In July 1996, the Hope Center of Lexington, KY recruited Xavier from the Healing Place to assist in setting up the Hope Center Recovery Program. He became a counselor and he trained others to teach Recovery Dynamics. In May 2006, he was retired from the Hope Center, due to his illness. He continued to volunteer at the Hope Center until the time of his death. During the years that he worked at the Hope Center, he touched the lives of countless men. Many families were reunited and many men received an opportunity at becoming a productive member of society.
He was a member and a trusted servant in a twelve-step fellowship, from May 1994 until his death.
Xavier began attending classes of The Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research in Houston TX, 1985. He transferred his membership to Louisville, then to Lexington, Kentucky where he became a licensed minister. He remained a faithful member till the time of his death.
He is survived by his wife Joyce; 3 step sons, Robbie Kittle, Billy Kittle and Andy Phillips; parents Johnny and Nida Ballard, of Saginaw, MI and Longview, TX, respectively, his brother Terry V. Ballard, Houston, TX and his sisters, Saadia Ballard, Longview, TX, Margo Ballard, Toledo, OH, Thamara Ballard, Dallas, TX, Ava Nichols, ofOrlando, FL., and Ele Ballard, Toledo, OH a host of Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and Cousins, and dear friends.
