Who is Bill Balleza?
Bill Balleza is an American Emmy-award winning television news reporter and anchor. He co-anchors the Channel 2 (KPRC) newscast with Dominique Sachse. Balleza’s contract with KPRC expires in 2021. This is 50 years after he began as a television news reporter.
He went to high school at Fox Technical High School. Balleza attended San Antonio College from where he graduated in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism. During his time in college, he also worked with KSAT 12, this was around 1970. The following year, Balleza joined KRON 4 News.
Balleza is a Vietnam veteran. He served as a Marine Scout Sniper during the Tet Offensive of 1968. In his career of over four decades, Balleza has covered thousands of stories. This includes the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom aboard the aircraft carrier, USS Truman.
Bill Balleza Channel 2
Balleza has served as the dean of Houston anchors. Having served at the channel for close to 50 years, Balleza says that he will have 50 years in the business and be the longest-running anchor on Channel 2. Previously, Ward left Channel 13 after 50 years on the air.
Among KPRC’S anchors are:
- Owen Conflenti
- Taniya Wright
- Keith Garvin
- Andy Cerota
- Lauren Freeman
- Christine Noel
- Syan Rhodes
- Jonathan Martinez
- Jacob Rascon
- Sofia Ojeda.
Ward achieved being the longest television broadcaster after he began working on November 9, 1964, and retired in 2017.
Balleza covered the death of Pope John Paul II from the Vatican in 2005 and also the election of Pope Francis in 2013. Balleza’s reporting on the deadly fertilizer company explosion in West, Texas earned him an Emmy award. Balleza also covered the shooting of U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords in Tucson. He further covered the Murrah Federal Building explosion in Oklahoma City, and also the crash of American Flight 587 in New York, one month after the 9-11 attacks.
During his time at Channel 2, he has shared the news desk with respected newscasters such as Paula Zahn, Jan Carson, and Linda Lorelle.
How Old is Bill Balleza?
Balleza is 72 years old as of 2019 having been born in 1947 in San Antonio, Texas.
Bill Balleza Family
Balleza was born the oldest of six children. Balleza’s maternal grandfather was Francisco Ibarra who was born in Monclova Mexico in 1894. He died in 1970. Bill’s grandmother, Tomasa died in 1960 of breast cancer at the age of 67.
Bill Balleza Wife – Spouse – Married
Balleza is married to Melissa Loh. The couple has three children and two grandchildren. Being an avid woodworker, he has designed and built furniture. He has made furniture for families that he and his Channel 2 colleagues sponsored for Houston Habitat for humanity.
Bill Balleza Salary
Through his great work as a television news reporter for KPRC, Balleza earns greatly from his work. However, his salary is not yet disclosed.
Bill Balleza Net Worth
Through his Journalism career of many years, Balleza has made a big fortune from his work. However, neither the estimated nor the exact amount of his salary is revealed. This information is still under review.
