Dwight L. Ball, 1930-2012
Long-time Springfield resident, Dwight L. Ball, age 82, went home to be with the Lord on August 13, 2012 after a short illness. He was born January 5, 1930 in Wesson, Arkansas, the fifth of nine children born to Irving F. Ball and Blanche O. Dumas Ball. Dwight grew up in southern Arkansas, living on the family farm in with his five brothers and three sisters. In 1948, he graduated from Parkers Chapel High School and then drove a fuel truck for two years to earn money for college. In 1950, he enrolled in South Central Bible College in Hot Springs, Arkansas, where he fell in love with a fellow student Roselyn Joyce Laws. Dwight and Joyce were married June 22, 1952 in Malvern, Arkansas and then transferred to Central Bible Institute (now Central Bible College) in Springfield, Missouri in August of that year. Never one to shy away from hard work, Dwight completed his Bachelor’s degree in Christian Education while employed full-time at Lily Tulip Paper Company. He pastored the Assembly of God church in Verona, Missouri before he transitioned to lay ministry in Springfield. He was a devoted and active member of both Calvary Temple and Park Crest Assembly of God, serving in children’s ministry, men’s fellowship, ushering, and transportation ministry. Dwight especially enjoyed welcoming congregation members and newcomers each week as a greeter with his wife, Joyce. The Balls’ friendliness is legendary! Dwight was employed at Lilly Tulip (subsequently known as Owens –Illinois , Sweetheart and Solo) for 40 years. After retiring in 1992, he devoted himself to his greatest joy, serving God and his church family. He was a life-long gardener and enjoyed tinkering with cars and anything mechanical.
Dwight and Joyce were blessed with three children, Dwight F. Ball, Regina Ball Williams and Joanne Ball Gabriel, who added to their family daughter-in-law Susan Hanf Ball, and sons-in-law John J. Williams and Geoffrey M Gabriel. They have seven grandchildren: David R. Ball (Rebecca), Derek A. Ball, Ikina S. Ball, J. Joseph Williams (Palmer), Mary Rose Williams, Matthew C. Gabriel and Nathaniel O. Gabriel. In February of this year, Dwight was thrilled with the arrival of his first great granddaughter, Natalie Renee Ball (David and Rebecca). In addition to his wife and children, he is survived by two sisters, Naomi Ball Jones of El Dorado, AR and Margaret Ball Owen of Dubach, LA, and one brother, James A. Ball of Lacey Springs, AL and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers Buford Ball, Frank Ball, Samuel Ball, and Francis Ball, and one sister, Viola Ball Odom.
Visitation is Thursday, August 16, 2012 at 1:00 pm at Life 360 Church (Park Crest Campus) with services to follow at 2:00 pm. Special thanks to the caring staff at Mercy Villa, Springfield, Missouri.