H.R. No. 215
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Memories of a life filled with joyful times and
meaningful accomplishments remain to comfort the family and friends
of Richard L. Ball of Mineral Wells, who passed away on February 16,
2021, at the age of 81; and
WHEREAS, A lifelong resident of Palo Pinto County, Richard
Ball was born in Gordon on November 6, 1939, to Ira and Alma Ball; he
grew up with four siblings, Ailene, Bill, Jerry, and Jim, and
graduated from Gordon High School; in 1959, at the age of 19, he
began working as a route driver helper for Wes-Tex Vending, and he
rose through the ranks of the company to become general manager in
1965; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Ball married the former Connie Leeper on
September 26, 1980, and the couple shared a rewarding union that
spanned four decades; taking on more responsibility with Wes-Tex
Vending, Mr. Ball was named president in 1984, and he and his wife
purchased the company in 1988, enjoying great success; he served as
the owner of Wes-Tex until 2016; he also founded Twin City Coffee
Service in Bryan-College Station, and he formed a partnership to
buy the Parker Plaza Shopping Center in Weatherford; in 2001,
Mr. and Mrs. Ball became the property's sole owners; and
WHEREAS, Widely respected in his community, Mr. Ball was
president of the Mineral Wells Industrial Foundation and the Palo
Pinto Area Foundation of the Palo Pinto General Hospital at the time
of his passing; appointed by Governors Rick Perry and Greg Abbott,
he served two terms as a Brazos River Authority board director; he
was a former president of the Mineral Wells Area Chamber of Commerce
and Visitors Bureau, which presented him with a lifetime
achievement award, and he was honored as the Mineral Wells Index Man
of the Year; moreover, he presided over the Texas Merchandise
Vending Association board and received the TMVA Icon Award; and
WHEREAS, Above all else, Mr. Ball cherished time spent with
his loved ones; he was the devoted father of four children, Tonja,
Terri, Tim, and LeAnn, and he took great pride in his grandchildren
and his great-grandchildren; a man of faith, he was a valued
congregant of Southside Church of Christ; and
WHEREAS, While the death of Richard L. Ball brings great
sadness to his family and friends, he leaves behind a legacy that
will long be treasured by all those who held him dear; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 87th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Richard L. Ball and
extend sincere condolences to all who mourn his passing; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Richard
Ball.
Rogers
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 215 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on March 18, 2021.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House