Jimmy Kenneth Ball

Jimmy K Ball, 69, of White Lake, Michigan and Lehigh Acres, Florida, passed away on December 30, 2021 of sudden cardiac arrest while working in his Florida garage with a friend. Born in Detroit, Michigan he was the son of the late Kenneth and Gabrielle (LeDuc) Ball, who instilled in him the values of hard work and frugality. His childhood summers spent helping on an Imlay City farm were very special to him. Jim graduated in 1971 from Utica High School, participating in wrestling and football, celebrating several victories. He went on to play football at Ferris State University, but was soon drafted . Serving in the US Army as a “chemical, biological, nuclear warfare specialist,” he was proud to be a veteran. Jim spent his career as a residential and commercial carpenter at Pontiac Ceiling and Partitions. He excelled at several types of commercial construction, repairs, adjustments and making the customer happy. His handiwork is seen in many buildings throughout the Metro Detroit area. Jim was skilled in a variety of trades and could fix most anything. He hated hiring anything out that he could figure out or do himself. Jim enjoyed wood working, gardening, hunting, horseback riding, and being on the lake or at the pool. He was proud of his daughters and talked often of their accomplishments. He relished being a Grandpa and loved spending time with his grandsons, and making them a fleet of special wooden toys. Jim loved creating wood-working projects, often without blueprints, and was always excited to teach his craft to others. He savored meeting people, telling his stories, and even made strangers into friends. He loved to tease and make people laugh. Jim was a member of the Waterford Church of Christ (Michigan) and Gulf Coast Church of Christ(Florida). Jim is survived by his loving wife of 44 years, Arlene (Reid) Ball, of White Lake and Lehigh Acres; beloved daughters Jenni (Jon) Galiotto of Nashville, TN and Teresa (Mike) Siekierzynski of Henderson, MI, along with cherished grandsons Jacob Siekierzynski and Dax Galiotto. Jim is survived by sisters Donna (Jim) Schuler and Carol (Carl) Linke. He also leaves behind a multitude of extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Sindy Gradowski, grandparents, and many aunts and uncles. Arrangements are being handled by Gendron Funeral Home of Fort Myers, FL. A Celebration of Life Luncheon will be held Thursday, July 7, 2022, noon, at Waterford Church of Christ, 4991 Williams Lake Rd, Waterford, MI followed by a military memorial at Great Lakes National Cemetary, 4200 Belford Rd Holly MI 48442 at 3pm, line up at 2:45. Until then, the family would love to hear your Jim Ball stories and sayings or share pictures. They can also be posted on Jim’s page at www.gendronfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to the Waterford Senior Center, 3621 Pontiac Lake Rd, Waterford Twp, Mi 48328. Jim spent many hours at the Waterford Senior Center wood shop along with their other community outreach programs.

Jimmy Kenneth Ball

September 4, 1952 - December 30, 2021