Shortly after Bill's birth, his family moved to Nashville, Arkansas where he spent his early life in the typical pursuits of a boy living in that time and place - scouting, sports, and school. Bill was an Eagle Scout and played football and basketball for the Nashville Scrappers. He graduated from high school at the age of 17 and entered the University of Arkansas in June of 1944. He joined the Kappa Sigma social fraternity and played trombone for the University of Arkansas Band.
After a year of college, he entered the United States Army in May of 1945, and completed basic training at Fort Riley, Kansas. He then went to Camp Crowder, Missouri to train as a radio operator. Bill later entered Signal Corps Officer Candidate School in Ft. Monmouth, New Jersey and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in May of 1946. He served in China, headquartered in Beijing, where he was the commanding officer of a mobile radio station located in a C-47 military transport airplane that provided remote radio services to areas throughout China. He was honorably discharged from the Army in Seattle, Washington in the spring of 1947 at the age of twenty.
He spent the summer of 1947 earning credits at Little Rock Junior College, and reentered the University of Arkansas in the fall of 1947. As an undergraduate and before his legal studies, Bill enjoyed social life and dancing, as the war was over and the mood in the country was good. He met Ella Hubbard "Hubby" Scaife of Readland, Arkansas as a sophomore at the University of Arkansas, where they began dating, beginning a relationship that ended 58 years later with her death in 2005.
In 1948 he entered the University of Arkansas Law School. In 1950, in his last year of law school, he was recalled into the service of the United States Army. He and Hubby married on December 28, 1950. As a young Army couple, they lived in Augusta, Georgia and then San Luis Obispo, California, where their daughter Lucy Jane Ball was born. Bill was assigned to Japan during his duty in the Korean War. In 1952, he was again discharged from the Army and returned to law school, where he graduated in 1953.
He began his law career as a clerk for George Rose Smith, an associate justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court. In June of 1954, he became an associate attorney with the law firm of Williamson & Williamson in Monticello, Arkansas. The firm later became Williamson, Williamson & Ball when Bill was made a partner. The firm later became Ball & Bird and continues today as The Barton Law Firm.
His legal practice was devoted to corporations, institutions, real estate, and personal estates. His clients included Georgia-Pacific, Potlatch Corporation, R. A. Pickens and Son Company, Arkansas A &M College, Union National Bank & Trust, and the Monticello School District. He served as City Attorney of Monticello for over 33 years.
Bill was a Special Associate Justice of the Arkansas Supreme Court, a Member of the Arkansas State Board of Law Examiners, and past President of the Southeast Arkansas Bar Association. He was admitted to the United States Supreme Court and all federal courts; and the Arkansas Supreme Court and all state courts, where he practiced extensively.
Raised as a member of the Methodist Church, he became a member of the First Presbyterian Church when he and Hubby moved to Monticello. He served as Sunday school teacher, deacon and elder. In addition to their daughter Lucy Jane, Bill and Hubby had two sons. William Ramsay Ball was born in 1958 and Charles Scaife Ball was born in 1960.
Bill enjoyed playing golf and watching sporting events, and was a lifelong fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks. He had a deep love of music and reading, especially enjoying classical music and history. He and Hubby had a wonderful sense of gracious hospitality, and entertained friends and family extensively. Their annual Christmas Eve celebration was enjoyed by friends and family for many years.
In 2005, his wife Hubby died. He maintained his home in Monticello. He married Connie Nicholson Deal in 2008, and they lived in Monticello until 2010 when they moved to Auburn, Washington to Connie's previous home.
In the Spring of 2012 his health began to decline. His mind stayed strong but his body was failing. His wife Connie provided loving care to him during his illness and his gentle passing was a blessing to all.
William Kenneth Ball is survived by his wife Connie Deal Ball of Auburn, Washington, daughter Lucy Jane Ball of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi; son William Ramsay Ball and his wife Jaquita, son Charles Scaife Ball and his wife Susan, and granddaughter Sarah Jane Ball, all of Fayetteville, Arkansas; and his brother James Donald Ball of Ballwin, Missouri.
Visitation to follow after memorial service.
Condolences(17)
Mike and Betsy Johnson
Asheboro, NC Sunday, October 28, 2012 Dear Lucy,Ramsey and Charles - we are so sad read this news about your father and my friend - Betsy and I as well as our sons - Mike and Keith and our daughter Amy treasure the memories we have for Monticello Arkansas and our close relationship with your mother and father they will always be precious memories that we will treasure forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Mike JohnsonDennis Wells
Springdale, AR Monday, October 22, 2012 Ball Family,Sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I always thought a lot of Mr. Ball growing up, we lived on Bell St. just west of your house.
Dennis Wells
Janice G McAllister
Hot Springs Village, AR Sunday, October 21, 2012 Bill was a truly a gentleman and blessing to all. Cherish all the wonderful memories and know he is now with God. May God give you peace and comfort in your sorrow. With sympathy, Janice Gladden McAllisterNancy McQuary Dougherty
Little Rock, AR Thursday, October 18, 2012 My thoughts and prayers to each of you. Love, Sissy and Mike DoughertyMarianne Jasay-Zeno
Little Rock, AR Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Lucy Jane, Ramsey and Charles,I was so sorry to here about your Dad. He was always that "Classic Southern Gentleman" and he and Hubby were always two of my favorite people. I will keep you in my prayers as you keep the memories of a wonderful father in yours. Peace be with you all....
Love, Marianne
Judy & Butch Selig
Monticello, AR Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Lucy Jane, Charlie, and Ramsay,We are sorry to learn of the loss of your dad. He was such a nice gentleman and will be missed by all who knew him.
Mike Lonsberry
Huntsville, AL Wednesday, October 17, 2012 To Bill's family,I a greatly saddened by Bill's death, but also celebrate his long and eventful life. I worked for Bill as an associate attorney in Monticello for a number of years at the Williamson, Ball and Bird firm. Bill was a great mentor, an outstanding attorney, and most important a gentleman in every way. I greatly admired him and considered myself to be very blessed to have been associated with him. He taught me only good habits. His family, friends and everyone who knew him will agree that everywhere Bill lived and worked was blessed by his presence. The Lord be with you.
Janice and Fred Taylor
Little Rock, AR Wednesday, October 17, 2012 To all the family we send our condolences. We loved those Christmas Eve parties and were so fortunate to be included. Our boys grew up doing that and had fun. Our love, Janice and Fred TaylorLou Reaves
Wilmar, AR Wednesday, October 17, 2012 We've lost a true southern gentleman---heaven's gained one.Kim and David Hoffman
Little Rock, AR Wednesday, October 17, 2012 Lucy Jane, Charles and Ramsey,Our hearts are saddened by the passing of your sweet dad. He was so special to us and treated us like family. We will never forget how kind he and Hubby were to us while we were in Monticello. Please accept our sincere sympathy. With love, The Hoffman family
Mary Martha Hoffius
Springdale, AR Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Charles, Ramsey and Lucy Jane, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. I have such fond memories of both of your parents! I was so pleased to get to have a visit with your dad, last October, at the "76" class reunion. I have vivid memories of Hubby & Bill patiently circling round and round in their boat trying to get me up on skis. Their persistence paid off and I've skied ever since. May your wonderful memories of your dad lessen your pain. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers.Susan Smith
Little Rock, AR Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Lucy Jane, Ramsey and Charles, I am so sorry for your loss. I can't count the days and nights I spent at yall's house as we grew up together, Lucy Jane. I especially remember teaching your dad to water ski - he was having a ball for sure. Your Mom and dad were a big part of my life and I know your heart is heavy. My prayers are with all of you.dianne pierce
crossett, TX Tuesday, October 16, 2012 So sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Ball..your mother Hubby, and I worked together the fall of 1970 for Mrs. Johnson in her first grade classroom when mr. Johnson was so ill. Hubby was a sub andI was a student teacher. I really enjoyed knowing your folks when I lived in Monticello. I also have lived in Readland. Dianne Pierce (Scucchi)Bobby Ellis Gilliam
Shreveport, LA Tuesday, October 16, 2012 William "Bill" Ball was so nice when Williamson, Williamson &Ball handled My Grand father, E. J. "Dean" Berry estate
settlement for Ellis C. Gilliam and all the heirs especially My
Grandmother, Louie Cotham Berry. There was so many including those from his first marriage. He knew I was interested
in family history and he had to handle all for Dean Berry had
married twice and Mamma was second marriage after 1st wife
died. He was Williamson, Williamson and Ball then.
Our prayers go out to all his family. He enjoyed the family Genealogy.after it was settled. Ellis C. Gilliam, my dad
was handling for family and Bill Ball knew it would helpful to
show relationships to me The property was across from Enon Church except for 10 acres on other side. I will appreciate his kindness always.
Our prayers are for all his family and Bill Ball.
Beverly & Jerry T. Davis
2201 Windsor Ct, Little Rock, AR Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Our thoughts are with all the family.Lelia Davis
Monticello, AR Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Connie and the family, my heart goes out to you. I knew Mr. Bill a short time, but learned to love him very quickly. He was a special man that had a wonderful pleasant and loving personality. I know he will be missed very much. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Lelia.Robin & Kenny Johnson
Monticello, AR Tuesday, October 16, 2012 Ramsey, Charles and Lucy Jane,We are so sadden to hear about the loss of your father. When I hear the name Bill Ball, I see this tall man always wearing a friendly smile. Kenny truly respected him in the legal profession and admired him. It truly was a pleasure to know him and consider him our friend. God be with each of you.
Robin and Kenny Johnson