Earl Ball

Earl Ball, 74, of Fayetteville, NC was born on March 17, 1950 and passed away on February 17, 2025.

Earl is now rejoicing with his Heavenly Father after a long illness. He passed peacefully at home surrounded by his wife, Velma and son, Fred Arnold, who took care of him until his final breath.

Earl was born in Abingdon, VA to the late Lydia C. Ball and Ben Ball. He was a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Glade Spring, VA. Earl joined the Army in 1969 and retired in 1989. He served his country with pride and honor. He was a Vietnam Veteran and served one tour in Germany before marrying his wife, Velma on May 31, 1975. Velma and her son, Fred, got to see a lot of Europe and the U.S. by being stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, Stuttgart Germany, Ft. Sill, OK, and Ft Bragg, NC where he retired as a Master Sergeant (MSG) after 20 years of service. Earl also worked for 10 years at the US Postal Service and was a Regional Manager for Great Western Toy and Vending Company.

His wife, Velma, was the love of his life for 49 years. He was a wonderful father to Fred Arnold. Fred was his stepson and Earl raised him as his own. He always wanted the best for his wife. They loved eating out and just being together. He loved all of his family and extended family.

Earl is preceded in death by his mother, Lydia C. Ball (Blevins); his father, Ben Ball; his brother, Elza Wilson Ball; mother-in-law, Margaret E. Moore; sister-in-law and husband, Lucille and William Douglass; brothers-in-law, George L. Moore Jr., Ronald L. Moore; Billy S. Moore, and William F. Clayton.

He is survived by his wife, Velma C. Ball (Moore) of Fayetteville, NC; son, Fred R. Arnold of Abingdon, VA; sister-in-law, Ruth L. Clayton; nephews, Jeff, Joey, Mike, and Steven Douglass of Fayetteville, NC, Jerry Douglass of Saint Johns, FL, Billy S. Moore Jr. of Marion, VA; niece, Jessica Moore Witt of Bristol, TN; and his 2 loving fur-babies, "Abigail" and "Bella Baby".

The family wishes to specially thank the nurses and aids with Amedysis who cared for Earl in his final days; Pastor Elton Bryan and his wife for all their prayers and support during Earl’s illness; and Hope Mills Pentecostal Holiness Church for the use of their sanctuary.

A Celebration of Life service will be held on Saturday, February 22, 2025 at 1:00pm at Hope Mills Pentecostal Holiness Church, 5855 Rockfish Rd., Hope Mills, NC 28348 with Military Honors.

Donations may be sent to Blackwell Chapel United Methodist Church (Cemetery Fund), 8329 Blackwell Chapel Rd., Meadowview, VA 24361 or to the Wounded Warrior Project at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

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