Raymond “Bunt” Ball, 78, of Cleveland passed away on Thursday, March 15, 2012, at home after a long struggle with lung cancer.

He was born in Tulare County, Calif., on March 15, 1934, to the late Clarence and Lydia Delema Ball.

He served twice in the United States Army and was honorably discharged Nov. 30, 1962. He worked for a short period of time as a welder in Detroit, before going to work at Combustion Engineering in Chattanooga, where he retired after 30 years in 1986.

He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local No. 656. He had a passion for bluegrass music, dancing and spending time with his family, grandchildren and friends. He attended church at Philippi Baptist Church.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sons: Randy, Eddie and Chris Ball; and brother, Richard Ball.

He is survived by his loving wife, Charlotte Ball of Cleveland; daughter, Pat McBee and husband, Tony, of Knoxville; son, Terry Ball and wife, Crystal, of Cleveland; stepdaughter, Deirdre Barnhart and husband, Mark, of Knoxville; stepson, Blake Johnson of Cleveland; sister, Helen “Bit” Thompson and husband, Carl, of Athens; brother, Rex “Dink” Ball of Niota; sister-in-law, Janice Ball of Cleveland; eight grandchildren: Niki, Ashley, Josh, Riley, Cole, Macy, Clay and Savannah; and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral will be conducted at 8 p.m. today, March 18, 2012, in the chapel of Ralph Buckner Funeral Home with Pastor Sammy Hooker officiating.

Interment will be Monday, March 19, 2012, at 11 a.m. in Beulah Chapel Church of the Nazarene Cemetery in Niota.

Tommy Roden, Murel Graham, Vernon Graham, Ralph Chase, Bill Lee and Bill Viars will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be James Bolton, John Bolton, Harold Graham, Verlyn Corbin, Bill Thompson and Stanley Millsaps.

A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service.

The family will receive friends from 4 until 7:30 p.m. today at the funeral home.

The family appreciate the meals, cards, acts of kindness and words of comfort through phone calls, visits and prayers over the past two years during Raymond’s illness.

He was very blessed to have developed very special longstanding friendships throughout his life and the kindness lifted his and the family’s spirits.

You are invited to send a message of condolence and view the Ball family guestbook at www.ralphbuckner.com.