Robert "Bob" Barnett Ball's Obituary
Decatur-Robert Barnett Ball, 88, of Decatur, passed away Wednesday, January 23, 2013 in Decatur Memorial Hospital.
Bob was born October 26, 1924 in Decatur, the son of Roy and Velva (Barnett) Ball. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during W.W. II. He retired from Caterpillar. He was a loyal member of the Royal Order of the Moose. He was an avid golfer that ran the Caterpillar Golf League for many decades. After his retirement he was asked to take charge of the Moose Golf League and Tournaments. He also organized yearly golf trips to Biloxi, Mississippi. He also was an avid bowler. He married Geraldine Mayes. She passed away after only three years of marriage. He then married Wilma (Horn) Smith in October of 1975. They had over thirty-seven wonderful years together.
He leaves behind his wife Wilma, son Mike and wife Linda, stepdaughter Carolyn Pumphrey and her husband Toby, stepson Darrell Watkins and his wife Sue, nine grandchildren, seventeen great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, sisters and brothers-in-law Jeane and Earl Denz and Mary Ann and Bob Nelson, and brother and sister-in-law Bill and Dorothy Ball.
Services to celebrate Bob's life will be 2 p.m. Saturday, January 26, 2013 in Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home. Visitation will be for one hour prior to the services at the funeral home. Entombment will be in the Mary Queen of Angel Mausoleum at Graceland Cemetery.
The family of Robert Barnett Ball is being served by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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