William “Bill” Thomas Ball

Gray Court, SC

William “Bill” Thomas Ball, 100, of Gray Court, passed away on May 2, 2019.

Mr. Ball was the son Thomas and Rebecca Ball and graduated from Gray Court Owens High School. After working on the family farm, Bill entered the Army Air Force in November of 1941. Trained as a B-24 Bomber Aircraft and Engine mechanic and as an Aerial Engineer Gunner, Bill worked as a member of the flight crew responsible for the mechanical function of the plane during flight and as a gunner in combat. Assigned to the 721st Squadron of the 450th Bomb Group in World War II, Bill flew over 25 combat missions primarily striking targets in Austria, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and the Balkans.

After his separation from the Army Air Force, Bill attended Furman University in Greenville where he majored in speech. While at Furman Bill sang with the Furman Singers and enjoyed amateur radio. In 1953, Bill joined Lockheed Martin in Atlanta and worked with them until his retirement. Afterwards, Bill returned to Gray Court to enjoy his retirement years. Bill was a longtime member of Gray Court First Baptist Church and was a multi gallon blood donor to the American Red Cross. In addition, he was a Life Member of the 450th Bomb Group Association; a Lifetime Charter member of the World War II Memorial; a founding member of the American Air Museum in Britain; and a National Associate Member of The Smithsonian Institution.

A Graveside Service will be conducted by Rev. Randy Rush and held Friday, May 10, 2019 at 2:00 pm in Cannon Memorial Park, 1150 North Main Street, Fountain Inn, SC 29644.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to either:
First Baptist Church Gray Court, 8443 Highway 14, Gray Court, SC 29645; or
The Courage Center, 860 Park Road, Lexington, SC 29072.

Cannon Funeral Home is assisting the family. www.CannonByrd.com