Ball, William Clement (1877-1956)

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1925
Primitive Methodist Magazine 1925

Early years

William was born in 1877 at Radstock, Somerset, to parents Enoch Ball and Sarah Vines. Enoch was a PM Minister. Brothers, Edgar and Charles were also in the ministry.

William was born again in a class meeting at Prince’s Avenue Church, Liverpool, at fifteen years of age. As a local preacher on the Monmouth station, he was recommended for ministry and was stationed at St Helen’s Auckland in 1897 as supply for Rev John Laverick.

Ministry

William’s obituary records that he was an unforgettable character, with a distinctive personality, a Methodist indeed, punctilious in matters of business and courtesy alike. His keen and lively intelligence ranged with delight over a wide variety of subjects.

Two special interests were music and chess. He was a remarkably gifted pianist. But it was preaching which above all claimed his heart. He loved to declare the unsearchable riches of Christ. He never spoke without appreciation of the most halting efforts to which he had the opportunity to listen, and to his brethren he was an unfailing source of encouragement.

Family

William married Margaret Ann Robinson (1873-1952) in the summer of 1902 at Malton, Yorkshire. Margaret was a daughter of Rev William Robinson.

  • Cyril James (b1907) – a music organiser (1952); a missionary teacher travelling to Ghana in 1959
  • William died on 15 February 1956 at Burton-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

Circuits

  • 1897 St Helens Auckland
  • 1898 Malton
  • 1902 Bottesford
  • 1904 Oakengate
  • 1907 Bishop’s Castle
  • 1910 Lichfield
  • 1914 Bloxwich
  • 1917 Walsall
  • 1920 Pickering
  • 1923 York II
  • 1926 Nottingham VI
  • 1932 Abertillery
  • 1934 Melton & Oakham
  • 1937 Burton on Trent
  • 1940 Ripley
  • 1943 Ashby de la Zouch
  • 1945 Nottingham (S)

References

Primitive Methodist Magazine 1925/447

Methodist Minutes 1956/192

W Leary, Directory of Primitive Methodist Ministers and their Circuits, 1990

Census Returns and Births, Marriages & Deaths Registers

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