Wayne Knight Ball

In a makeshift urn that my father gifted to me to hold half of his ashes my sister found a small piece of paper with four short decrees in his handwriting. Dad took his time carefully pondering every single decision he made in life , many taking years to resolve while he stared out of the second floor window that overlooked the small lake behind the house. Cup of black coffee in his right hand, feet propped upon the window sill, for hours upon hours he contemplated. I can only imagine these four word, his definition of self, consumed many of those thoughtful hours. This obituary is my gift to him as I try to define the man in these four words.

I WAS A REAL PERSON

My Father was created from dust and he returned to the same dust, but in between he walked the earth as a mortal. Though it didn't always show on the outside, my father had an internal fire in his heart to give. He walked , he ran, he explored. Maybe never venturing far from home but his dreams traversed the mountains, ventured down unknown roads, and paddled through pristine waters. Through many mistakes he continued to learn. But like many strong men, after stumbling he picked himself up moving forward along life's' path.

I WAS A REAL CHRISTIAN

My father was always a Christian. He was born and raised Southern Baptist and like many men do as they enter the trials and tribulations of life, he detached himself from the church but never from his devout faith. In his later years he found that spark again and sought to regain his relationship with Jesus, with God and with the Holy Spirit. He filled his office with as many Bibles, study guides and reference books that he could find. With never a pages folded or corner dogeared, meticulously and reverently as he could, he would use a small ruler and a red pen to underline the words that he wanted to retain. He could easily quote half the passages in the bible, but I never heard him speak them out loud. He was no street corner preacher but would happily discuss the words of the holy book at bible study evenings or with anyone who would spend time with him that had questions to explore. I have no doubt that his soul rest in peace just beyond the gates of heaven, reunited with his family and loved ones he looks down and smiles knowing that at the end, my sister and I were there for him with unconditional love.

I WAS A REAL FATHER

My sister and I are both alive because our dad was a real father. As with nature, a male chooses his mate and hopes that his offspring will continue the bloodline. We are that bloodline. My relationship with my father and my sisters' relationship come from different generations and were each created from a unique history, but we are both his children and we affirm this. Dad loved us both unconditionally but sometimes had a hard time emoting his feelings. Through his words and actions near the end of his life I truly believe that had he have to do it all over again, he would have strived to create a more fatherly relationship with his children. My sister and I will not dwell on what could have been, we will rejoice in the feelings we all received when all the walls fell down and we all came together to save each other. We love you Dad!

I WAS A REAL PATRIOT

From the American flag that always hung from the front eve of his house to the fact that Dad always wore a poppy pin every veterans day, our father bled red, white, and blue! Though his time in the U.S Army was short, the lessons and experiences he received defined who he was to bein our life. Our father was a proud gun toting, bible carrying, lifelong soldier that was ready at any time to give his life for the country he loved so much, If that's not a definition of a patriot then I don't know what is. Dad was born into World War II when our entire country came together to support the defeat of the great evils seeking to obtain world domination. I believe that patriotism was absorbed into his blood at a very young age and i'm tankful that it never faded away. He watched John Wayne movies on "D" Day , he cried on 9-11 and he stood in proud salute when my sister married into the US Navy.

We learn both what to do and what not to do from our parents, this is the learning process of a child, but the world seem fixated on only the good things. As adults my sister and I both understand our father was a good man trying to do the best that he could with what he had. We all have our fantasies but it's the realities that make us who we are. My sister and I would not be as close as we are if not for some mystical presence that created a bond over dad in the end. Again, I say, with all my heart, we are proud of you and we love you Dad.

Wayne Knight Ball, age 81, of Altamonte Spring, Florida passed away on Friday, April 8, 2022. Wayne was born May 21, 1940.