Obituary - Ball

Charlie Sam Ball of Bristol, Florida, passed away at age 69 on January, 17, 2012, in Panama City, Florida, after complications due to illness.

Charlie was born in Elbert, McDowell County, West Virginia, to Charlie Clarence Ball and Agnes Elsie Lang. His life of adventure began early when he joined the Navy at age 17. He met Betty Faye Scott at a USO dance in Memphis, and they were married on April 22, 1961. They had six children together.

Charlie was blessed with “itchy feet” and moved his family multiple times to Florida, Illinois, Mississippi and Virginia. Charlie and Betty divorced after 35 years of marriage.

In his later years, he set out to sail the world and got as far as Apalachicola, Florida, where he enjoyed a life full of other adventures. On one trip to China, he met and married Childer, who took care of him in his final days and was a devoted and kind companion to him.

Charlie leaves behind a legacy of adventure and learning. He learned to play the banjo and the organ and enjoyed all sorts of music. He was a philosopher and enjoyed conversations on a large variety of topics. He was a spiritual man and enjoyed his activity in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Charlie provided many opportunities for his children to learn independence and resilience, and these are traits that they cherish. He loved to sail and was an accomplished pilot. His love of aviation brought him many fun experiences and true friends. He was also a businessman and owned his own trucking company for several years. He had a desire to serve others who were less fortunate than he was. He led a very full and somewhat unconventional life.

He is survived in death by his wife Qiuzhi Gao and his children John Ball (Linda) of Springville UT, Sheri Johnson (Mike) of Orem, UT, Tammy Horger (Jim) of South Jordan, UT, Sarah Walker (Bernard) of St. George, UT, Samuel Ball of Brookport, Illinois, and Spencer Ball of South Jordan, UT. He leaves behind nine brothers and sisters, Suzie, Clark, Connie, Gracie, Russell, John, Rosie, Kathy and David. Charlie is also survived by eight grandchildren and some granddogs. He will be greatly missed by his close friends Steven Ford and Max Campbell, and his family would like to thank them for their devotion to him during his final days.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother and brother, Jessie, and sister, Audrey Faye.
A memorial service will be on Tuesday January 24, at 2 PM at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 12605 Northwest Myers Ann Street, in Bristol Florida.

Bevis Funeral Home (ph. 850- 643-3636, www.bevisfh.com) in Bristol is in charge of the arrangements.