William R. Ball

June 28, 1929 - December 07, 2017

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of William Ronald (Bill) Ball. Bill passed away surrounded by loving family in Victoria BC on December 7th, 2017 at the age of 88.

Born in Cumberland on June 28th, 1929 to parents Waverley and Arthur William Ball; his family moved to Cadboro Bay, where he had many happy adventures playing on the beaches as a young boy. He married in September 1950 to Elizabeth Ada Smith, and they went on to raise six children during the course of their 67 happy years together.

Bill followed in the footsteps of his father as a prominent landscape gardener in Victoria. He left school at the age of sixteen and began gardening to help support his parents and siblings while his father was recovering from illness. Although not formally educated, Bill had an ongoing and keen appetite for nature and books and this helped to build his reputation as a well-respected landscape gardener, specializing in alpine rock gardens. Many of his clients became life-long friends to him due to his loyal service, formidable work ethic, and incredible botanical knowledge. Over the course of his career Bill worked in some of the most outstanding gardens in Victoria, and each of his four sons spent time as young men working alongside him. He professionally retired in 2012 at the age of 83, and continued to maintain his own beautiful garden thereon. His legacy continues to endure in many gardens in Victoria which include the Uplands, Rockland, and Ten Mile point areas.

Bill was a high-spirited man with a never-failing sense of humour. His passion was for his gardens and his family, including their Corgis, and he had a love of all animals. He was an avid reader with a deep interest in the environment, history and First Nations culture. Whenever the opportunity for an adventure was present the Ball family spent time hiking and camping. Bill hiked the West Coast Trail, Cape Scott, Carmanah and many other beaches, rivers, and forests with best friends Ron and Ann Smith. Later in life, his life-long dream of traveling to Haida Gwaii was fulfilled with Ron.

In his youth, he was an amateur boxer, and enjoyed watching the sport much to his wife's chagrin. As an athlete, he was competitive but always fair, and spent many decades playing badminton at the Cordova Bay Hall on Friday nights with friends and family—his impressive drop shot is well-remembered, as is his robust laugh and ever-sparkling blue eyes.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Beth, who says of their union "we always had fun together;" sons Michael, Christopher, Timothy, and Gregory; and daughter Elizabeth, as well as predeceased by Cindy; eight grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. He is predeceased by sisters Muriel and Phyllis; survived by sister Waverly, and brothers Syd and Stan, and many special nieces and nephews.

The family wish to express their great appreciation for the care provided by the doctors and staff at the Royal Jubilee Hospital.

"Be good, do good...cheerfully."