JOHN BALL Jr.

BALL, John Harding Jr., of Walkerton, Va., passed away on Thursday, November 19, 2009. He was born in King and Queen County, Va., on October 5, 1920. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Anne Griggs Ball; three sons, Robert Harding Ball, Edwin Gary Ball II and his wife, Carol, and John Page Ball; five grandchildren, Major Thomas Nelson Ball and his wife, Maryann, Lewis Harding Ball and his wife, Rebecca, Melissa Ball Allensworth and her husband, Daniel, Maria Page Ball and John Harrison Ball; six great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elizabeth Payne and Harriett Howell and her husband, James; and one brother, William J. Ball. John graduated from Marriott High School in St. Stephens Church, Va., and attended Virginia Tech. In 1962, he formed Ball Lumber Company, Inc. in Millers Tavern, Va. His love of the sawmilling operations extended into forest management, and in 1993 he was selected as the Outstanding Tree Farmer of the year for Essex County. He was recognized for managing his forest resources for timber, wildlife and enhancing water quality for over 50 years. In addition, John was a member of the Advisory Committee on Reforestation for the State of Virginia, a certified Tree Farmer, a director of Virginia Forests, Inc., and an elder and past board chairman of Smyrna Christian Church, a director at the Bank of Essex for 40 years, a Master Mason of Arlington Lodge No. 102 AF&AM, a member of the Scottish Rite Bodies, a member of the ACCA Temple Shrine, and a member of the King and Queen Ruritan Club. The family will receive friends on Saturday, November 21, 2009, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the home of John and Anne Ball, 404 Havenwood Drive, Walkerton, Va. Funeral services will be held at Smyrna Christian Church, 3655 Powcan Road, Bruington, Va., on Sunday, November 22, 2009 at 3 p.m. Arrangements being handled by B.W. White Funeral Home.


This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.