Mr. David George Ball

1936 - 2014

Mr. David George Ball obituary, 1936-2014, Williamsburg, VA

BORN

1936

DIED

2014

FUNERAL HOME

Nelsen Funeral Home - Williamsburg

3785 Strawberry Plains Rd.

Williamsburg, Virginia

David Ball Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 24, 2014.

David George Ball, noted local author, died peacefully surrounded by his family on March 21, 2014, after a brief illness.

Born November 16, 1936, in Gloucester, England, the son of Harold George Ball, a Baptist minister, and Irene Hadley Ball, a missionary to India, he grew up in wartime England. After years of rationing and bombing during the war and privation in its aftermath, the Ball family immigrated to America in 1954. Ball felt that he had arrived in the promised land, full of delicious food and opportunity. He attended Moody Bible Institute before entering Yale University as a scholarship student intending to enter the ministry, graduating in 1960. It was at Yale that Ball met Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His friendship with Dr. King inspired him to change his major to political science, and Ball's later work championing the 401(k) plan is included in his memoir, A Marked Heart.

Ball graduated from Columbia Law School in 1964 and worked as a tax attorney at White & Case, a Wall Street law firm. He later went into corporate law and worked on pensions and other legal matters as Corporate Secretary and Senior Vice President of AMAX, Inc., where in 1981 he championed the first 401(k) plan adopted by a large industrial company. From 1989 to 1993 Ball served as Assistant Secretary of Labor for Pensions and Welfare Benefits in the George H.W. Bush administration. In that position, he was able to work towards extending the 401(k) program to workers who did not have pensions and making this savings plan portable for millions of Americans. The regulation appeared in the Federal Register under his signature in October 1992.

Ball was always grateful for the many opportunities he had as an immigrant and was honored to be asked to serve our nation as assistant secretary and be able to help working Americans in their pursuit of happiness by creating more financial security in their retirement.

A familiar figure around Colonial Williamsburg, Ball could often be seen in front of the Bruton Parish Shop on Duke of Gloucester Street, wearing his straw hat, greeting tourists and welcoming them to visit the shop where they could purchase an autographed copy of his book. He directed all of the proceeds from the sale of his book toward outreach through Bruton Parish Church, where he loved to attend services and read the lesson.

Ball was a member of the Crown Colony Club and the Emerson Society in Williamsburg.

He is survived by his loving wife of 40 years, Carol Gore Ball of Williamsburg; his brother Jonathan Harold Ball and his wife Arlene of Franklin, NC, and his sister Ruth Joy Dowley and her husband James, of Oxford, England; his children David, Jr. and his wife Kari of Castleton, VT, Christopher and his wife Kelly of Clifton, VA, Deborah of Honolulu, HI, Jonathan and his wife Nicole of Rye, NY, and Thomas of Charlottesville, VA, five grandchildren, David III, Lindsey, Ian, Alexander and Madeline, father-in-law Frederick Sasscer Gore, sisters-in-law Elizabeth Gore and her partner Marilyn Fox and Anne Gore Kempsell and her husband The Rev. Dr. Howard Kempsell, Jr., and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. His first wife, Morganne Lee Ball, predeceased him.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 29, at Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, followed by burial in the churchyard and a reception at the parish house. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Bruton Parish Church or the charity of your choice. Online condolences may be expressed at www.nelsencares.com.

The family of David George Ball wishes to thank the physicians, nurses and staff of the Riverside Doctors' Hospital for the compassionate care and loving kindness they provided to him during his illness.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Memories and Condolences
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April 18, 2014

Rev. Sharon Inake

Dear Deborah:
I am so sorry for your loss. What an inspiration your dad was! What a blessing to have had the whole family together at his passing! Yes, you and your family will be in my prayers. Love you.

April 8, 2014

Joel Merchant

thank you for the chance to read about such an interesting life and professional career. I would have enjoyed knowing him, as I am in having met you. Joel

April 6, 2014

Debra: Knowing You just a bit, your father must have been an inflential and spiritual man to encourage you for the life fulfilling role you are in our cmmunity. He will be with you forever: Father and Father.
Norma N

April 5, 2014

Deborah Ball

Thank you each for your loving words and prayers for my Dad and our whole family. Your appreciation of dear Papa and words of support are healing.

Aloha, Reverend Deborah M. Ball, David George Ball's Daughter

April 1, 2014

lisa jones

Iam very sorry for your loss, my name is lisa jones from "the mill" i remember Mr.Ball coming in for his pastries, i will miss his smiling face and kind words, he was a very sweet man and he will be greatly missed. thoughts and prayers to the ball family

April 1, 2014

Darline Layer-Roush

Dear Carol,
My love and prayers are with you and your family at this period of loss. As you share memories of David and talk about David he still lives in your heart.

April 1, 2014

Cynthia and Tony Honeysett

We send love and prayers to you all from Bournemouth England and stand with you at this time. Remembering David with love and happy memories

March 29, 2014

Monica

My deepest sympathy to hear about our loss.

March 29, 2014

Dina Lobo

Dear Carol, my heartfelt sympathy for your loss. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Dina Lobo

March 29, 2014

Ellen Smith Gajda

Dear Carol, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.

March 27, 2014

Mrs. Richardardson

My sincere condolences to you and your family at the loss of your dear loved one Mr. David Ball. He has helped so many and it is truly a loss to everyone. I have a 401K today because of the efforts of your dear loved one. Thank you. May you gain comfort from knowing that "Jehovah is near to those that are broken at heart, and those who are crushed in spirit he saves." May you continue to receive the needed comfort and support from your family and friends that you deserve at this time.

March 27, 2014

Jim Morrison

My sincere sympathy to you and your family for the loss of your husband and father. May God watch over you and bless you.

March 26, 2014

Cousin Martin Aller-Stead

Ah, Carol and all, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss of husband and Dad, David. He added so much light to many, many rooms of passionate interest .. his family, his community, his country by adoption and the world. Please accept my sincere condolences: I will see you all at the funeral. Love from Toronto, Martin

March 26, 2014

Melissa Black

I am very sorry for the loss of your loved one. Thomas, I was deeply touched by the care that you and your family gave to your dad. I enjoyed you telling me about his life and you are in my thoughts and prayers. Melissa Black, RN - RDHW

March 26, 2014

Carol and family, Case and I are so saddened by your sudden loss of your dear loved one and father. Please know you all are in our prayers.
Patty Whittemore, Lutz, FL

March 26, 2014

Tim and Janet Parker

Carol,

We were shocked to hear the news of David's death. Our payers are with you and your family during this very difficult time. We pray that God will give you the strength to deal with the many decisions that will have to be made now. We pray that God provide peace in your heart and that time will help heal your present sorrow. David will be missed by so many people as he touched so many in a very positive way.

March 26, 2014

Sue McSwain

So sorry for your loss, Carol. Prayers to you and your family.

March 26, 2014

Lloyd Wallace

Deeply shocked today your loss to read of your husband,All our sympathy. Love, Lloyd&Wanda Wallace

March 26, 2014

Linda Kinsman

I was so saddened to hear of David's sudden passing. I cannot imagine your sorrow at this moment but please know that you, David and your family are in my prayers. May God bless.

March 26, 2014

My sincere sympathy to the family for the loss of your dear loved one. May you find peace and comfort in Psalms 65:2. Again my deepest sympathy.

March 25, 2014

David II, Kari David III and Lindsey, so sorry for your loss. I met your father at Lindsey's graduation party and glad I did. God bless all of your family David. God be with you all. Lots of love, Aunt Lori, Uncle Bob and Alexander Mason

March 25, 2014

My sympathy goes out to the family during your time of grief. May God's loving-kindness comfort you and help you through this difficult time. (Psalm 119:50,76)

March 25, 2014

Patti-Hal Glassman

David was an American patriot who lived a life of honor. His Federal service influenced millions of lives in a positive way. He left a lasting memory for everyone who knew him - - and to know him was to love him! David was a gentle man who was always a gentleman, admired and respected and held in high esteem. It was our good fortune to know him and we are grateful he touched our lives.

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