Bryan Gilbert Ball

Bryan Gilbert Ball, age 78, of Abilene, passed away on December 2, 2014. Bryan was born May 24, 1936 in Stephens County, Texas. He was the son of Ralph and Leona Ball. Bryan grew up around Breckenridge, Texas and graduated from Breckenridge High School. He served in the U.S. Air Force. After leaving the Air Force he worked for Dye Manufacturing in Breckenridge. In 1968 he and his family moved to Abilene where he went to work at Automation Industries. He worked there until he had to retire due to his health. Bryan had multiple sclerosis for 45 years. Bryan married Edgarlene Holder on September 14, 1962. They enjoyed 52 years of marriage. During Bryan’s retirement years he did volunteer work for the Abilene Baptist Church as a counselor for Hope Camp for boys and was on the disaster relief team for the Baptist Association. He was a deacon at Immanuel Baptist Church. He was a member of Elmcrest Baptist Church the past several years. Bryan was a charter member of the Abilene Optimist Club. He was honored as Optimist of the Year in 1984-85. Bryan was a licensed minister. Bryan was preceded in death by his parents and father-in-law, E. R. Holder. He is survived by his wife, Edgarlene; two daughters, Karen (Robert) McFerrin, Sharon (Darrell) Wheat, and one son Tommy (Stacie) Ball; grandchildren, Emily (Tyler) Morrow, Justin (Roxanne) McFerrin, Cody (Meagan) Wheat, Zachary McFerrin, Dylan Ball, Sydney Ball, Gabriela, Dre and Sophie Abril; and great-grandchildren, Haydon, Kylor and Emmory McFerrin, Bentley Morrow, and Kendall Martin. Survivors also include one sister, Barbara (Guinn) Ferguson of Midland, Texas, three brothers, Wayne (Roz) Ball of Maple Valley, Washington, Donald (Brenda) Ball of Breckenridge, Texas, David (Joy) Ball of North Richland Hills, Texas; mother-in-law, Malva Holder of Lamesa, Texas; sister-in-law, Carolyn (Robert) Turner of Lamesa, Texas; brother-in-law, Larry (Peggy) Holder of Breckenridge, Texas; and numerous aunts, nieces and nephews. A celebration of Bryan’s life will be held on Friday, December 5th, at 11:00 a.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene, with interment following in Elmwood Memorial Park. The Reverends Rudy Fambrough and Jerry Vinson will officiate. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 4, between 6 and 7:30 p.m. at The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Justin McFerrin, Cody Wheat, Zachary McFerrin, Dylan Ball, Tyler Morrow and Dre Abril. Honorary pallbearers will be Darrell Wheat and Robert McFerrin. Memorials may be made to Hendrick Hospice Care, 1682 Hickory Street, Abilene, TX 79601.