William Whitman Ball Sr.

William Whitman Ball, Sr. (Whit) passed away on December 13, 2023 at home in Exton, PA with his family. Born in West Chester, PA on July 21, 1937, he was the son of Berenice Mueller Ball and A. William Ball, Jr. , who founded the family business, Ball and Ball, in 1932.

He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Lynne Raniere Ball; sons, William W. Ball, Jr. (JoAnn Chesky Ball) West Chester, PA., and Robert A. Ball (Pamela Smith Ball) Downingtown, PA. Grandsons; Robert J. Ball, Andrew W. Ball (Nichole), Daniel Ryan Ball (Kathleen) and Garrett Shelby Ball (Destiny). Great Grandchildren, William W. Ball III, Korson Ryan Ball, Emelia Q. Ball and Kyle Kathleen Ball and nephew, Don Alan Himes, Reston, Va. He was pre-deceased by his sister, Bernie Lou Ball (Bunny) Himes, Fairfax, VA. and nephew, William Michael Himes, Conroe, TX.

Whit was a 1955 graduate from West Chester High School and attended Wesley College, Dover, DE and Goldey School of Business, Wilmington, DE. He rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant with the Delaware National Guard from 1959 to 1963, with the US Air Force 166th Support Squadron, Crash Rescue Unit based in New Castle, DE. He was a member of the First West Chester Fire Company, was named Optimist of the year, 1975-1976, Friend of the Youth Award for Contribution to the Community by the Optimist Club of West Chester, PA. A Cub Scout and Webelo Scout Leader, a collector of antiques, an antiques dealer, gun collector, Member of the National Rifle Association, antique and classic car collector, sports car enthusiast, sports car automobile racer with Vintage Sports Car Club of America, Vintage Racer Group, Valley Forge Motorsports Club and BMW Club of America. He enjoyed small game hunting, trap and skeet shooting and sporting clay shooting, boating and water skiing.

He was the owner of his family business, Ball and Ball, an antique restoration hardware and 18th century lighting company for many years after his father's passing. The company is now owned by his sons, William and Robert along with their wives. He worked closely with many restorations for the White House, Diplomatic buildings and offices, Smithsonian Museum, Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, Philadelphia Independence Hall, Chester County Historical Society and numerous historic buildings and monuments throughout the USA to name a few.

Whit gave many speeches to Historical Societies, Antique Clubs, Architects and Preservation and Conversation of historic objects groups about brass and iron hardware; it's period and style, manufacture, history and production in the Philadelphia area and many Museum Antique Forums.

He was an officer for the many Automobile Clubs that he belonged to over the years. His greatest love was racing cars and touring with his wife throughout America and England and Europe in their old cars.

He belonged to the Antique Car Club of America, Aston Martin Owners Club, Bentley Drivers Club, Pierce Arrow Society, Rolls Royce Owners Club- National and Keystone Region, Silver Ghost Association, Austin Healey Club of America, Elva Owners Club, BMW Club of America. He was a race car builder, mechanic for his own cars, blacksmith, foundryman, brass chisel chaser, welder, forger and all around metal worker. Whit was a man of many talents and will be deeply missed by his family.

In honor of Whit's request, no formal services will be held.

Memorial Donations can be made to: National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, New York 10016-5337. Donations@kidney.org.