Colonel (Ret.) William Ball was born and raised in Canada and joined the Canadian Army Reserve at the age of 15, serving in the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada. As a student militiaman, in charge of a machine-gun section, he was promoted to Corporal. Ball was appointed to Lance Sergeant and Skirmisher Sergeant, and conducted the Regimental recruit course in 1967. He intended to enlist and join our permanent force battalions when it was announced they were being deactivated.

In 1967, he enlisted in the United States Army. He completed Infantry, Airborne and Ranger training before being assigned as a Squad Leader with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam. Following this tour, Staff Sergeant Ball served as a rifle company advisor with the Vietnamese Airborne Division. Upon returning to the United States, he was promoted and performed duties as a Platoon Sergeant and a Drill Sergeant. In 1977, he attended Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a Lieutenant of Infantry.

Colonel Ball held numerous Command and Staff positions in Infantry, Ranger and Special Forces units, and served on the Joint Staff.

Later in his career, he was the Senior Army Adviser to the National Guard for Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In 2002, he served as the Task Force Deputy Commander for a Special Operations Joint Task Force, which he led into the Philippines to conduct operations against the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group. His last duty position was as the Chief of Staff, United States Special Operations Command, Pacific.

His awards and decorations include the Silver Star, the Defense Superior Service Medal, two Bronze Stars, the Air Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Expeditionary Medal, The Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, the Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, the Honor Medal, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Expert Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free-Fall Badge, Combat Divers Badge, Special Forces and Ranger Tabs, the Joint Staff and Drill Sergeant Identification Badges, and the Vietnamese, Iranian, Bolivian, and Spanish Parachute Badges.

He is married to Lee, his bride of 45 years, and they have two daughters and four grandchildren.

Colonel Ball retired in 2004 with over thirty-six years of service.

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