William Valentine Ball was born in Kentucky on  Feb. 8, 1845. He died. April  28, 1875. William is buried in Washburn Prairie Cemetery, Barry County, Missouri.

He was known to his family as "Billy."  The photo at left shows him at about 16 years of age.  He enrolled in the 8th Prov. Reg't. Mo. Militia under Capt. Wood in October of  1864.