Lester Ball

Lester Ball SPUR-Lester Ball, 92, went to his heavenly home on Oct. 1, 2015. He was born on Dec. 26, 1922, in Denison, Texas, to William and Ollie Ball. Funeral services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday in First Baptist Church of Spur. Burial will follow in Spur Memorial Cemetery, under the direction of Zapata Funeral Home. Lester is survived by his daughter, Belinda Maye and husband, Anthony of Smyer, Texas; his son, Dennis Ball and wife, Tammy of Canyon, Texas; five grandchildren, Tiffani, Samantha, Trevor, Amanda and Daniel; three great-grandchildren, Makayla, Morgan and Ian. He married Frances Gibson on Aug. 20, 1947, in Spur, Texas. She preceded him in death in 2000. He was also preceded in death by brothers, Wilburn, Roy Lee, and Donnie Ray; and sisters, Marie and Alene. Lester graduated from Spur High School in 1941. He then served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps during War World II as a tail gunner on a (SBD) Douglas Dive-Bomber in the South Pacific, with engagements at Guadalcanal, Emerald Isles, Bougainville and Robane. After the war Lester attended Highlands University, where he played football and baseball, graduating in 1949. He briefly coached in Roy, NM before returning to Spur, where he served Spur ISD as a coach, teacher and school administrator. He retired in 1980. Lester also farmed and ranched. Lester loved spending time at his summer home in northern New Mexico, walking the streams and fly fishing. He also enjoyed spending time at the senior citizens playing pool and working puzzles.