William J. Ball was born in Hobart on August 3, 1926 to Jack J. and Anna Mae (Hunter) Ball. He graduated from High School in early 1943 at the age of 16( valedictorian) and immediately enrolled at O.U. On turning 18 in 1944, he entered the army and served in the South Pacific. After the peace was signed he served as 1st Sergeant ( Sergeant Major) of the large G4 Section ( logistics) at MacArthur's HQ in Manila (AFWESPAC). After his military discharge he re-entered O.U. and finished his geology degrees. His scholastic honors include: Phi Beta Kappa, The Society of the Sigma Xi, Sigma Gamma Epsilon, and the Brillhart Award for the highest scholarship. He spent 36 years with one of the big international oil companies, living in such cities as Tulsa, Chicago and Los Angeles. The last 21 years of his career he was the company's General Manager of worldwide oil, gas, and geothermal reserves. He retired in 1985 at the age of 58 and returned to Hobart to take care of his aging parents ( his mother lived to the age of 106 1/2. Bill himself was 80 years old when she died.
Survivors include:
1 Niece: Linda Dills of Kansas
estranged Nephew: Michael Muldowney, Oklahoma City, OK
He was preceded in death by his parents: Jack and Anna Mae Ball, his wife: Irene Ball, Sister: Marilyn Muldowney
Under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Hobart, OK