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Ballinger "BJ" Jay Smith, 53, of Jacksonville, passed away April 28, 2021. 'Bal' was born February 18, 1968 to the late Henry and Lillie (Johnson) Smith in Fort Worth, Texas.

'Bal' accepted Jesus Christ as his Personal Savior and worshipped through service throughout his youth as a member of Stewart Chapel Christian Methodist Episcopal Church.  Ballinger attended grade school within the Fort Worth Independent School District, where he would meet his future wife, and partner, Paula Renaye Howard. The two graduated with the remarkable class of 1986. In December of 1988 Ballinger made the quality decision to cross into the blue of the United States Air Force. In December of 1989, Ballinger would marry his high school sweetheart in Fort Worth, Texas. The couple would begin their lives together during Ballinger's service at Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana, Incirlik Air Base in Adana Turkey, Minot, North Dakota, Kunsan, Korea, Saudi Arabia and finally, Little Rock Air Force Base, where he would retire in 2011. As a dynamic Servant Leader, Ballinger was ordained as a Deacon and served as an usher at St. Peters Rock. He often stated, "I'd rather be a door keeper in the House of the Lord than dwell in the tents of the wicked.". Ballinger's servanthood included, but is not limited to, the Jacksonville Senior Citizen Center, Meals on Wheels Programs, the Boys and Girls Club, Boo at the Zoo and We Care of Pulaski County. Ballinger was always active with his children, and served as a basketball coach, golf coach, tennis coach and even a substitute teacher. Always a no-nonsense leader and analytical problem solver, Ballinger was an avid golfer, loved to travel, cook, and watch sports with his blissful wife. Ballinger's mother, Lillie, lovingly taught him to play music, and his father, Henry, taught him to work hard, and these same qualities were passed on to Ballinger's children, BJ and Joi. Ballinger was a Founding Member of Nu Alpha Omega, a military fraternity, and was given the name "Sir Percival". Ballinger was lovingly known as "Pop" "Hook", "Padre", "Love Bone", "Mr. BJ", and his smile and laugh were contagious. He was a supportive friend, a quiet soul, and a thoughtful, loving man. He never let anything slow him down.

Ballinger is survived by his loving wife of thirty-one years, Paula Smith; his two beautiful children, Ballinger "BJ" Paul (fiancé Jazzmin) Smith and Joi Noel Smith; his mother-in-love, Rosemary Howard; his siblings, Cleveland (Heidi) Smith, Bruce Smith, Brenda (Nathaniel) Wilson, Jerome Smith, Gary Smith and Yolanda (Ed) Sims; his many sisters and brothers-in-law; and his godsons, Marcus and Major Ware as well as extended family members.

Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m., Friday, May 7, 2021 at Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home. Visitation will be a half hour prior to the service, 9:00 a.m., Friday, May 7, 2021 at the funeral home. Ballinger will be laid to rest immediately following the service with military honors at Arkansas State Veteran's Cemetery in North Little Rock.  Arrangements by Moore's Jacksonville Funeral Home, 501-982-2136.