Mr. Weldon Onel Ball, of Warrenton, MO., passed away on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. Weldon was born on April 7, 1941, in O'Fallon, MO., to the late Lucien and Margaret (nee: Sallee) Ball. He had reached the age of 79 years 9 months and 6 days.
Weldon grew up in the community of Wright City, MO., and was a long-time member of the Wesley Smith United Methodist Church. He attended Gibson School in Wright City. He then attended and graduated from Wright City High School. He also taught Sunday School, was in the church choir, and served as an usher at Wesley Smith Church. Weldon was a member of the Wright City High School basketball team, where he held the school record for having scored the highest single-game point record of 54 points. The naming rights for the Wright City School Gym was named after Weldon for one year. After high school, he continued his education at Lincoln University in Jefferson City for one year.
After college, he began working in the construction industry. He spent over 25 years in the industry as a laborer, grade checker, foreman, and a deckhand on the Mississippi River. He also taught at the Laborers Training Center in High Hill and other locations for a total of 40 years of service. He was also a gold card member of the Construction Union 660, having been a member for 50 years. Weldon had a strong work ethic and was civic-minded. He served on the Plan Progress Group in Wright City and was a volunteer on the Auxiliary Police Force. He continued to play basketball on teams for Wright City and Washington.
Weldon had many dreams that became a reality, such as rebuilding his 1955 Chevy. He saved it from the junkyard and rebuilt it into a classic street hot rod. After retiring, Weldon moved to Warrenton with his wife Edith.
Weldon Ball was preceded in death by his parents, Lucien and Margaret; one sister, Marva J. Roddy; one grandson, Malik K. Prince. Those grateful for having shared in Weldon's life are his loving wife, Edith C Ball (nee: Horton) of Warrenton; one daughter, Trina Prince, Warrenton, MO., two grandchildren, Julian Prince, Bria Prince, Warrenton, MO., step sons, Reginald Ellison, St. Louis, MO., Kevin Ellison and wife Sarah, St. Louis, MO.; step grandchildren, Miles and Simon; nephew, Keith Roddy, and wife Marci, Desota, TX.; 1st cousin, Glenn Luckett, and wife Rosemary, Wright City, MO.; in-laws, Terry Horton and wife Shirley, Morganton, N.C., Larry Horton, Ferguson, MO., Steven Horton and wife Tanya, Savannah, GA., Phillip Horton and wife Debra, Huntersville, N.C., Nancy Butts, Alexandria, VA., Elizabeth Hickman, Hinesville, GA., Caroline Watts, Carrollton, TX., Sharon Pellom and husband Samuel, Decatur, GA., Norma Harris and husband Russell, High Point, N.C., Crystal Horton, Durham, N.C.; other relatives, nieces, nephews, and many friends.
A Celebration of Weldon Ball's life will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2021, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home in Warrenton.
Funeral services will begin at 12:00 p.m. also at the funeral home. Burial will follow at the Wesley Smith Cemetery in Wright City.
Memorial donations are preferred to the American Heart Association, c/o Martin Funeral Home, 510 East Main Street, Warrenton, MO 63383. Online condolences may be made at www.martinfuneral.net.
