Frederick Louis ‘Fred’ Ball, 78, of Wilmington and formerly of Raleigh and Fairfax County, Va., died peacefully with his wife and family members by his side on Wednesday, April 27, 2016, at Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center, Wilmington, after a long and difficult struggle with Parkinson’s and Dementia.
He was born in Chicago, Ill., on May 28, 1937. As a child, he lived in many locations around the world as his father was transferred to various military bases.
He was a 1957 graduate of Cathedral Latin High School, Raleigh, and a former member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Parish, Raleigh. After his service to Uncle Sam in the U.S. Army serving in Berlin, he worked as a fingerprint technician for the FBI. Following this, he worked for ‘Ma Bell’ and was able to take early retirement in late 1991. He held several part-time positions in retirement, his favorites were working in the Fairfax County, Va., and New Hanover County public schools. His devotion to the little ones was unwavering. Mr. Ball and his wife, Phyllis Sears Ball, were married April 22, 1990.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lt. Col. Art and Alberta Ball; nephew, Edward Ball; and infant sister, Alberta.
He is survived by his caring and devoted wife of 26 years, Phyllis; their five children, Fred Jr. of Fredericksburg, Va., Barbie (Eric) Peterson of Manassas, Va., and Kenny, Nicki and Kim Dahlstrom, all of Wilmington; five grandchildren, Jordan, Evelyn, Dani, Morgan and Warren; first wife, Amelia Jones Ball, the mother of his children Fred and Barbie; brothers and sisters, Art (Debbie) Ball of Pahrump, Nev., Susan (John) Winterscheidt, of Cary, Mary (George) Gavalas of Hendersonville, Mike (LeAnna) Ball of Spring Branch, Texas, Robbie (Elaine) Ball of Cantonment, Fla., Florence (Jim) Teskey of Carmel, Ind., and George Ball of Huntingburg, Ind.; and numerous nieces and nephews across the country.
His remains will be cremated. A funeral Mass will held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 24, at Our Lady of Lourdes, Overbrook Road, Raleigh. Interment will be held in Raleigh Memorial Gardens next to his mother and father. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services.
He had been an inspiration and blessing to all of us and will be sorely missed—the oldest in our large family. We love you big bro and will forever miss you!
The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to Lower Cape Fear Hospice, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401; or National Parkinson’s Foundation.
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