Ronald Ellsworth Ball, 75, husband of Bonnie Ann Ball of Mount Sidney, earned his angel wings on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at his residence. He fought the good fight for seventeen years, defeated dementia and is now whole again.

Mr. Ball was born in Radford, Virginia on April 18, 1947, a son of the late Jewell (Jo) and Harry Thomas Ball.

Ron was raised on Virginia Tech's campus, while his dad finished his degree, and in Chilhowie, Virginia. Ron graduated from Virginia Tech (B.A. in Political Science) and UVA (M.A.  in Administration & Supervision). He taught and coached at Marion HS, Chilhowie HS, Powell Valley HS, Natural Bridge HS, Stuarts Draft HS, Wilson HS and Fort Defiance HS. Ron was also the Athletic Director at the former R.E. Lee HS in Staunton and at Stuarts Draft HS.

Ron was an avid Hokie fan. His family has continuously held season tickets to the football games since Lane Stadium opened in 1965. He was a walk-on on the football team. A knee injury ended his playing career, but was kept as a student-manager by Coach Jerry Claiborne. Ron served on the Virginia Tech Alumnae Board for seven years, nominated by Frank Beamer.

Ron was an active member of St. Francis of Assisi Roman Catholic Church serving as usher, Altar Guild member and prayer partner in Perpetual Adoration.

He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, whom he married in June, 1981; his children, Wendy (Brent) Hull and Brian (Michelle) Ball; grandchildren, Jessalynne, Max and Sawyer Hull and Avery and Lily Ball;  a sister-in-law, Cindy (Steve) Gryglewski of Delaware; a brother-in-law, Jeff (Tricia) McDonald of Baltimore; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2022 at Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at St. Paul's United Methodist Church by Chaplain Matthew Atlee.

Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memory Gardens.

Active Pallbearers will be Garett Burkhead, Max Hull, Robbie Maxwell, Robbie Smith, Jody Yount, Steve Cash, Leland McCray and Damian Fink.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Staunton-Augusta YMCA, 708 N Coalter St, Staunton, VA 24401 or Alzheimer's Association Central & Western VA Chapter, 355 Rio Road, Suite 102, Charlottesville, VA 22901.

The family would like express a sincere "Thank You" to the Staunton-Augusta YMCA for their care in the Respite Program, the staff at Brightview Baldwin Park's Wellspring Village, Home Instead, especially Lillian and Wilma, and Augusta Health Hospice, especially Bev and Susan, for their amazing care of Ron.

Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements.