Arnold C. “Buddy” Ball, 78, of El Dorado passed away Friday, March 27, 2020 at the John R. Williamson Hospice House following a hard fought battle with cancer.
Buddy was born August 27, 1941 in Haynesville, LA to the late Arnold C. Sr. and Alice Shockley Ball. He graduated from Hope High School in 1959. After graduation, Buddy joined the Santa Barbara Fire Department in Santa Barbara, CA. After his time at the fire department, Buddy spent a few months working on pipelines across Georgia and Alabama. Following this endeavor, Buddy began his career with J.A. West Company in Harrison, AR. It was here that he met his loving wife of 55 years, Jeanne Leigh Hames Ball. Buddy was then transferred to El Dorado, AR where he served as a Senior Buyer and General Merchandise Manager for the company.
After 27 years with West Company, Buddy began his career as a general contractor with McKinnon and Ball Construction. He spent another 27 years building residential and commercial properties across South Arkansas. He took great pride in his work and developed countless relationships with those he worked alongside over the years.
After losing his wife, Jeanne, in 2016 Buddy married Stella Walker Edwards, of Walkerville, AR. The two have made wonderful memories together and were quite the team in his battle with cancer. Buddy was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He was a faithful servant of the Lord. His family and friends will always remember him as an honest, hard working man who went above and beyond as a provider. He loved his family more than anything. Buddy was a leader, he was dependable, and he had an incredible gift of always leaving things better than he found them. He always had a story to tell, “his version” at least, and he never met a stranger. He truly was one of a kind.
Buddy was a proud member of College Avenue Church of Christ, where most children grew up knowing him as the “candy man.” He loved his church family deeply. He was an avid outdoorsman. He loved to fish, and enjoyed deer hunting with his fellow members of Salty’s Deer Club. Of all the things Buddy loved to do in his spare time, being “Pappaw” to his grandchildren and great grandchildren was his greatest joy.
Preceding him in death are his parents; wife, Jeanne L. Ball; son, Kendall “Ken” S. Ball; sister, Bevelyn E. Henry; sister, Glenda F. Belt; brother, James L. “Bo” Ball.
Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Stella Edwards Ball of Walkerville; daughter, Suzy Cherry (Jay) of Searcy AR; four grandchildren, Ian Cherry (Jennifer), Megan Cherry (Colby Mckennon), Rachel Cole (Nic), Rebekah Ball; four great grandchildren Noah Cherry, Lydia Cherry, Abigail Cherry, and Kainan Toney. One sister; Dorothy May (Robert) and sister in law, Mary Jane O’dell Ball. Stella’s children: Mark Edwards (Sheila); Whitney Hickey (Greg); her grandchildren: Shelby Wynn (Matt); Brady Edwards (Ann); Justin Hickey; Logan Hickey; Alicia Hickey (Haden) and her great granddaughter, Stella Felts.
Serving as pallbearers will be Ian Cherry, Jay Cherry, Larry McKinnon, Mickey McKinnon, Jimmy Jones, Bo Blackwood, Jerry Walker and Mark Edwards. Honorary pallbearers to be recognized are Nic Cole, Colby McKennon, Ed Garner, Virgil Grigson, Jeff King and members of Salty’s Deer Club.
In keeping with the Center of Disease Control (CDC) recommendations regarding public gatherings, there will be a private family graveside service at this time. A public memorial celebration will be held at a later date for all of Buddy’s friends and family to celebrate his wonderful life.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to College Avenue Church of Christ, 1817 N. College Ave., El Dorado, AR.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.youngsfuneralhome.com