Robert Francis Ball, 99, a retired excavation and grading contractor, passed away on Wednesday, June 10, 2015 in Mission Hills, CA. Bob was born on July 27, 1915 in Chicago, ILL. His father was a lieutenant in the Chicago Police Department and their family was very active in the local church.

Bob moved to California in 1939 after making several trips to California and falling in love with the warm weather. During World War II he worked for Lockheed Aircraft where he met and married his first wife, Geraldine. They had three girls and the family lived in Burbank until 1946 when they moved to Van Nuys.

Bob loved repairing and restoring cars from the time he was old enough to drive a vehicle. His life's scrapbook is filled with pictures of every car he owned. He was blessed with good health, which allowed him to continue to drive until he was 98. He was a longtime member of the Horseless Carriage Club, Model T Club, and Studebaker Club. He loved spending time with his family and, in his later years, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren provided countless blessings to him.

Bob and his second wife, Mary, moved to Missouri in 1993. They lived in Farmington, then in Springfield, until she passed away. He then relocated back to California and lived in the Santa Clarita Valley, where he could once again be close to his family. Everyone loved his easy-going manner and loving nature. He was truly a gentle man and he loved the Lord.

He is survived by his daughters Shirley Tanner and Judy Bell; his 4 grandchildren, 2 step-grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary; his daughter, Martha Willman; his brother Herb Ball; his sisters Ruth Hedlund and Mary Hoff.

Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at Eternal Valley Memorial Park, 23287 Sierra Highway, Newhall, CA 91321.