James Wendell Ballingham was born in Grouse Creek, Utah on February 14, 1925, a son of Albert James and Louisa Emiline Paskett Ballingham.
He had the following brothers and sisters: Bertha Mae, Melba Louise, Lester Albert, Mertrice Geneva, Verda Emily, George William, and Treasa Venette.
Wendell was reared and educated in Grouse Creek and Ogden, Utah and at the age of 16 moved to Ogden where he graduated from Ogden High School.He also got credits from Ohio University and Oklahoma University and Weber College.
He married Carma Payne on June 2, 1945. They are the parents of Janis, Barbara, Colleen, Gary W., Cynthia Lou and John J. Janis and Colleen are deceased.
He lived in Ogden more than fifty-five years. Wendell owned and operated various businesses. After 31 years of distinguished service, he retired from Hill Air Force Base as Supervisory Supply Specialist in Material Management.
He served as a Charter Member of the South Ogden Fire Department and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was very active in all sports and enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren participate. Wendell enjoyed fishing, hunting and especially golfing. He was a member of Patio Springs Country Club and the Ogden Golf and Country Club, where he loved to participate in golf tournaments with his wife and family. He was a “Jack of all trades” who could fix anything and was always willing to help anyone.
Wendell passed away May 19, 2001 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was buried in the Washington Heights Memorial Park in Ogden, Utah.