Bernard Lee Ball

Major Bernard L. Ball, USAF (Retired) passed into eternity of natural causes at his home in Georgetown, TX on Jan 31, 2014. Bernard Lee Ball was born (one of 9 children) on 9 April 1919 to Otis and Kitty Ball in his grandparents' home in Fairplay, Missouri. He graduated from Barnsdall High School in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1937.

After graduation, he and his brother Roy operated a gas filling station in Ochelata, OK. He was drafted into the US Army in March of 1941 and trained as a medic. In order to morally support a friend, he reluctantly took the proficiency test for the Army Air Corps Cadets. Bernie passed the test (his friend didn't!). He next attended Preflight Pilot Training at Podd Field at Cuero Army Air Field (AAF), TX, Basic Pilot Training at Waco AAF, TX, and then Advanced Pilot Training at Brooks Field in San Antonio. He then attended B-24 Transition Training in Ft. Worth.

During WWII, he piloted B-24 Flying Fortresses for the 449th Bomb Group in the European Theater; flying missions out of Grottaglie Airfield near Bari, Italy. On Nov 23, 1944, while flying a bombing mission over Yugoslavia, an anti-aircraft artillery shell exploded inside his aircraft; blowing the top of the aircraft off-- including all of the hydraulic controls that would operate the rudders. Captain Ball was able to limp the aircraft back to Italy (using only engine power for steering), and safely land the aircraft (sparing aircraft and crew). This incredible story is memorialized in the "On and Wing and a Prayer" display in the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. For his courage and expertise during this mission, Bernie received the Distinguished Flying Cross. In total, Bernie flew of 48 combat missions in Europe.

After the war, Bernie was reassigned to Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), OK. It was there that he met Roma Freeman, and before shipping overseas to Wheeless Air Base (AB) in Tripoli, Libya, Bernard and Roma were married on May 12, 1951 in Springfield, MA. Roma joined Bernie in Tripoli after a few months and they lived there until 1953. Their son David was born there. Bernie worked in base operations at Wheeless. Their next assignment was at Davis-Monthan AFB, in Tucson, AZ (1953-1956), where he also worked in base operations. Their daughter Deby (Fitzgerald) was born there. In 1956, they moved to Ardmore AFB, OK, where their daughter Vicki (Sullivan) was born. When Ardmore was closed in 1958, the family moved to a new assignment on Anderson Air Base, Guam. From 1959-1961, the family was next assigned to Johnson Air Base near Tokyo, Japan. In 1961, They moved back to the US, and were stationed at Forbes Field in Topeka, KS. In 1961, Bernard retired from the Air Force, in the rank of Major.

After retirement, Bernie settled the family in the Alamo Heights area of San Antonio, TX. He worked as a Government Service employee; first for the US Postal Service, then as a computer operator in the Finance section of Lackland AFB. In 1982, Bernie retired a second time from Government Service. After his second retirement, Bernie and Roma moved to the Glenlake area of Austin and built a home. In 2003, they moved to Georgetown.

Bernard was predeceased by his wife Roma in 2008, and daughter Deby in 2009. He is survived by siblings Norma, Delores and Butch, his son David & wife Peggy, daughter Vicki & husband Jay, 8 grandchildren and 6 great grandchildren. Bernard was known for his love of woodworking, love for the Dallas Cowboys, and the awesome scrambled eggs he made. He will always be remembered as a faithful husband, father and grandfather, and as a great American hero!

The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 3125 N. Lamar Blvd.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.