Paul Edwin Ball left his earthly vessel on Thursday, January 25, 2024. He was born January 19, 1937 at his childhood home in Soddy, Tennessee. He was the youngest of seven siblings.. He attended Soddy Daisy High School, where he was a three sport letterman. After graduation in 1955, he and his high school sweetheart, Phyllis Pollard, were married and moved to Tampa, Florida so that Paul could begin his Bible studies at Florida Christian College, now known as Florida College. Paul and Phyllis lived in Tampa for several years where their children Michael and Wendie were born.
Paul’s most important role in life was that of a Christian, and he was always known as a defender of the TRUTH. He was a gospel preacher and over the years, he preached many sermons, baptized many into Christ, and officiated many weddings and funerals. In 1961, the family moved to Grady, Arkansas where he began preaching the Gospel at the church of Christ at Grady. While in Grady, he also obtained his BA in Education from the University of Arkansas-Monticello and his Masters from the Arkansas State Teachers College (now known as the University of Central Arkansas) in Conway, Arkansas. During this era, he was also part of the faculty as a teacher and coach at Grady High School. . In 1971, the family returned to Chattanooga to be closer to family. During the 1970’s, he preached at the church of Christ at Lakeview in Lakeview, Georgia. He was also a Guidance Counselor and Coach at Red Bank High School, where he was the head baseball and basketball coach.. In the early 1980’s, he walked away from education and became licensed as an Auctioneer and worked for many years out of his own auction house and for other Chattanooga area auction houses. He also maintained a delivery service that had him, and often Phyllis, driving all over the country delivering antiques and furniture. It was during this time that he stepped down from preaching on a regular basis, and he and Phyllis worshiped at the church of Christ at North Hixson for many years. A move to Conway, Arkansas was in order in 2008. Paul and Phyllis have resided in Conway for the past 15 years.
A love of golf found him at the local golf course on a regular basis until last year. While in Conway, he was a member of the church of Christ at North Oak in Mt. Vernon, Arkansas. Along with the roles described above, he also preached Gospel Meetings in several states and often led song services during worship. He was also a sports official (umpire, referee, announcer, etc.).
Paul was preceded in death by his parents, John and Maude Ball and all of his siblings, Ray, Carl, Vernon, Charlotte, Clyde, and Mildred. Paul is survived by his wife of sixty eight years, Phyllis; their children Michael Ball of Conway, Arkansas and Wendie Ball Brown of Bowling Green, Kentucky; Grandchildren Austin Brown (Michaela Drew Brown) of Bowling Green, Kentucky, Michaela Anne Ball of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Blakeleigh Reese Ball of Dardanelle, Arkansas; and one Great Grandchild, Aria June Brown of Bowling Green, Kentucky. A memorial service will be held at Roller-McNutt Funeral Home in Conway, Arkansas on February 12, 2024 at 7:00pm, with visitation starting one hour prior at 6:00pm and will be shared on the respective Facebook pages of Mike and Wendie.
In memory of Paul, and in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Sacred Selections, which is a nonprofit organization for which Paul and his family have supported for many years. When making your on-line donation at www.sacredselections.org, please reference ”In Memory of Paul Ball” when prompted.