Delbert C. Ball

Delbert C. Ball, 76, died Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at an Abilene medical center. Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. Friday, April 23, in The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene officiated by Phil Ware, Richard Melton and Norm Archibald. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. The son of Betty (Wadkins) and O. J. Ball, he was born on January 17, 1934 in a farmhouse six miles north of Anson in Jones County, Texas, and graduated from Hawley High School. Delbert served in the U. S. Army from 1956 to 1958. Delbert lived in the Abilene area most all of his life, having married Pat Wheeler on September 29, 1956 at 290 S. Mockingbird in Abilene. He worked as a pipefitter for Honeywell for 30 years. He was a member of the Plumbers and Pipefitters Union Local 259, and was a current member of Local 529 Waco. At one point, Delbert was the most winning Women's Slow Pitch Softball coach ever. He had won 117 games before they were defeated. Delbert was a member of the Church of Christ. He delivered for Meals on Wheels and helped build with Habitat for Humanity. His parents, two sisters, Geraldine Watkins and Katie Thompson; and one brother, Talma "T K" Ball, preceded him in death. Delbert is survived by his wife, Pat Ball of Abilene; daughters, Regina Doerr and husband Mark of Carrollton, Texas, and Ginger Nelson and husband Gary of McKinney, Texas; sister, Barbara Keene and husband Ray, of Abilene; and two grandchildren, Brady Hilton and wife Stephanie, and Marissa Northrup and husband Caleb. Roland Blackstock, Bill Pursley, Bill Sims, Rex Brock, Gene Aaron and Pete Bean will serve as pallbearers. The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Hendrick Hospice for their loving care. Memorials may be made to Meals on Wheels Plus, P O Box 903, Abilene, TX 79604; Habitat for Humanity, 101 Fulwiler Rd., Abilene, TX 79603; or Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3364 Buffalo Gap Rd., Abilene, TX 79605.