Harold Ball's Obituary
Harold Lee Ball, 87, of Memphis, TN died peacefully Thursday, August 20, 2015 at home with his wife of 60 years at his side. Harold is survived by his loving wife, Shirley White Ball, daughter, Lisa Ball Johnson of Memphis, and her children Lt. Wesley Johnson (Katie), currently stationed in Guam, Rachel Johnson Porter (Clay) of Memphis, Kelsey Johnson of Norfolk, VA, and Nathaniel Johnson of Memphis, four great grandchildren, Elizabeth Villane “Evie”, Wesley Johnson of Guam, Jackson and Wyatt Porter of Memphis. He is also survived by another daughter, Rebecca Ball Fiedler (Christian Howard Charles Fiedler, III) and their children, Christian Howard Charles Fiedler, IV and Rebecca Louise Fiedler of Memphis.Harold is also survived by 3 of his 6 siblings, Betty Ball of Guild, TN, Dennis Ball of Loveland, OH, and David Ball of Huntsville, AL.Mr. Ball has 9 nieces and nephews, and 13 great nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death, his parents, Alvin and Ola Ball of Guild, TN, brothers, Ray and Dale Ball of Guild, TN and sister, Louise Ball Sebring, of Bridgeport, AL.Mr. Ball was born on January 20, 1928 in Farner, TN and was one of seven children. His parents granted permission for Harold to join the US Navy at the age of 17 before graduating high school. Mr. Ball served in the US Navy onboard the USS Roosevelt before returning home to finish high school. He was once again called back to the Navy during the Korean Conflict and upon leaving the Navy two years later got a job with the T.V.A. for 38 years starting at Watts Bar Dam in Spring City, TN where he met his wife, the former Shirley Joan White. After marriage, the Balls spent 9 years in Kingston and Rogersville, TN before Mr. Ball was transferred to Paducah, KY and Shawnee Steam Plant.While in Paducah, Mr. Ball spent 19 years raising his two daughters, and active deacon at 12th Street Baptist Church and continuing his career advancement. In 1980, Mr. Ball took a promotion to Plant Manager of Allen Power Plant in Memphis where he spent the next 8 years before retiring in 1988.Mr. Ball was an active deacon and Sunday School teacher at Ridgeway Baptist Church. At his passing he was a member of Kirby Woods Baptist. Mr. Ball was a life member of both the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, serving as a mason for 50 years and Scottish Rite of Freemasonry.In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the mission program of Kirby Woods Baptist Church 6325 Poplar Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119 of Baptist Trinity Hospice 6141 Walnut Grove Road, Memphis, TN 38120.A visitation will be held Monday, August 24, 2015 from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm at Memorial Park Funeral Home in Memphis. Service will be immediately following.
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