BALL, WILLIAM O.

William O. Ball, 78, of Wethersfield, died Friday, May 16, 2003, of complications after heart surgery at Hartford Hospital, with his wife and son at his side. He was married 58 years to Johanna (a.k.a. Jane Danielczuk) Ball. He was born November 17, 1924 in Omaha, Nebraska, son of the late Orville Ball and Anna (Jankosky-Johnson) Day. Bill was a World War II veteran serving four years in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Marine Raider Battalion, 6th Marine Division. Stationed in New Caledonia and Guadalcanal and seeing battle in New Georgia. After his discharge he pursued education in tool and machine design and received an associate degree at The University of Hartford. He worked briefly for Pratt & Whitney and was employed by the federal government in defense procurement as a quality assurance representative for 30 years, retiring in January 1980. He received a commemorative medallion in appreciation for his contributions to the Apollo Saturn Project (1st Lunar Apollo Flight). He was a member of NARFE, PNA Group 464, Wethersfield Seniors, AARP, and SS. Cyril & Methodius Church. In retirement he enjoyed cooking and gardening. He was noted for his natural keen wit and sense of humor. Besides his wife, he is survived by his son, Daniel Anthony Ball and daughter-in-law, Zoila Alvarez de Ball of Honduras; a sister, Christine (Ashodian) Peterson; and brother-in-law, Carl A. Peterson; a sister-in-law, Helen Pinckney; brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Edward and Gail Danielczuk; and many nieces nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. He was predeceased by his son, Robert William Ball in 1991. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 21, 9:15 a.m. from the South Green Memorial Home, 43 Wethersfield Ave., Hartford, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 10 a.m. SS. Cyril & Methodius Church, Hartford. Burial with military honors will be at Rose Hill Memorial Park, Rocky Hill. His family will receive friends, Tuesday, from 6-8:30 at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to SS. Cyril & Methodius School Fund or to a charity of the donor’s choice.