Russell “Bill” William Ball, Sr. 69, of Swanzey and formerly of Keene died unexpectedly in the comfort of his home.
Russell was born the son of the late Norma (Bridge) and Russell W. Ball on May 2, 1949 in Keene. He was educated locally and graduated from Monadnock Regional High School class of 1970.
On December 30, 1995 he exchanged vows with Eileen Putnam at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Keene. They were married with family and friends in attendance. This would have been their twenty-third anniversary on the 30th.
He worked at the Cold River Materials Company in Swanzey as the plant foreman. Russell retired in 2014 after twenty-four years of service.
Russell was a man of faith and a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Keene. For fun, Russell enjoyed playing golf, camping, watching NASCAR, and trips to the casino, especially going to Las Vegas. When his mother- in-law was alive, he could be found putting jigsaw puzzles together with her. Russell enjoyed mowing his lawn and doing yard work. It gave him great joy to be able to work in the yard with his hands and having some quiet time. He was civic-minded and enjoyed giving back to his community by being a member of the Elks Club, Post 927 in Keene for twenty-two years, the Winchester Veterans of Foreign Wars for eleven years and the Italian Club in Keene for ten years.
Mr. Ball is survived by his wife Eileen Ball of Swanzey, his sons: Russell W. Ball, Jr. and his wife Ronda of Swanzey and Jeffrey R. Ball and his wife BJ of Winchester. Siblings: Sandra Maynard and her husband Arthur, Cindy and LuAnne. His three grandchildren: Russell A. Ball of Keene, Nicholas Ball of Swanzey and Brandon Ball of Swanzey. His brother and sister in-laws; Phillip Putnam and his wife Karen of VA. and Priscilla Putnam of VT. In addition, he leaves: cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Calling hours will be held on Friday, December 28, 2018 from 5 to 8pm in the funeral chapel. Burial will take place in the spring of 2019 in the family lot at Mountain View Cemetery, Swanzey. Flowers will gladly be accepted. However, the family would prefer donations be made in memory of Russell W. Ball, Sr. to: Trinity Lutheran Church, 100 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431. All services are under the care of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel and Crematories, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431. WWW.cheshirefamilyfh.com
