Dale A. Ball

Dale A. Ball, 80, longtime Ellensburg resident, passed away on Sunday, September 14, 2025 at the KVH Hospital surrounded by family. He will be laid to rest in a private family ceremony at High Valley Memorial Park.

Dale was born on August 20, 1945 in Oakland, California, the middle child of Dale S. & Dorothy (Timmons) Ball. He grew up in the Oakland area and graduated from high school there. Following graduation, Dale served in the United States Army and received an honorable discharge in 1964.

In 1963, Dale met the love of his life, Clara Hammond, at a social function. Clara recalled how she’d seen him before, cruising by her house in his 1956 Chevy, as she sat on the front porch - and called him one of the most handsome men she’d ever seen. They would later marry on August 28, 1965, in a double ceremony with Clara’s sister Darlene and Dale’s best friend, Jerry.

Following their marriage, Dale and Clara lived in Livermore, California until 1974 when they moved to Ellensburg and have resided here since that time. In Ellensburg, Dale was best known for his woodworking skills and being the owner of Ellensburg Cedar where he specialized in handcrafted beekeeping products. He retired in the mid-2010’s.

Over the years, both pre and post retirement, Dale and Clara enjoyed taking road trips across the country visiting different spots. They took trips to Deadwood, South Dakota, Cripple Creek, Colorado, Helena, Montana as well as many of the state and national parks in Utah. His favorite place to visit, however, was the Peppermill Resort in Reno, Nevada. He was very lucky when it came to gambling, which resulted in his Platinum Member status of Peppermill’s Passport Rewards Club. Many at the resort knew him by name and every year he would take his family on a vacation to the resort.

Family was of utmost importance to Dale. As a huge fan of the Seattle Mariners, some of the greatest memories were made when he would take his grandchildren to a Mariner’s game every year. Very rarely would he miss one of their games on TV and even this year said “This is the year! They’re going to win the World Series!”

Dale is survived by his wife of 60 years, Clara; son Michael (Lynn) Ball; son-in-law Andy Keaton; grandchildren Acasia Akins, Austin (Kaylie) Ball, Lexie (Gage) Gibson, Kody (Cassie) Keaton and Karson Keaton; great-grandchildren Ainslee, Liam, Hank, Emory, Kellen and Rawlen; as well as many nieces, nephews and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Michele Keaton; brothers Vernon, Johnny and Jimmy; and his sister Sandy.

Memorial contributions in Dale’s honor are suggested to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Johnston & Williams of Ellensburg. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.johnston-williams.com