Ephriam George Ball

E. George Ball of Idaho Falls, Idaho, passed away on October 31, 2023, at his home.

George was born February 21, 1929, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, to Ephriam Berry Ball and Elizabeth Mary Green Ball. George grew up at Beaches Corner, attended school in lona, and graduated from lona High School in 1948.

After graduation, George joined the Air Force in December of 1948. Basic training was in Wichita Falls, Texas. From there, George attended Air Operations School in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He then reported to Smoky Hill Air Force Base in Salina, Kansas. George was assigned to the 301st bomb wing of SAC (Strategic Air Command) for six years. Receiving his top-secret clearance, the wing was transferred to Barksdale Air Force Base in Shreveport, Louisiana. Flight training for George was at Lockland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, spending the remainder of his Air Force days flying B29. He served in England at Laken Heath Air Force Base, French Marco, and Libya.

While in the service, he married Marcene Judd, in Texarkana, Arkansas. George and Marcene had two children, Douglas G. Ball and Susan Ball Steele. George resigned from the service in 1954 and entered college at Idaho State University.

George went to work for Dale Parish and Tony Naegle as an insurance agent. He worked for Dale and Tony until 1968 when he bought out Dale and Tony and formed United Agencies Insurance with Jim Oldroyd. Later, George bought out Jim Oldroyd. While in the insurance industry, George worked with Westinghouse National Labs on fire safety to upgrade fire protection for the city of Idaho Falls which lead to a re-rating from a class 6 to a class 3, saving the city thousands of dollars.

George served as President of the Independent Insurance Agents of Idaho. He also served on the Fireman's Fund Insurance Company President Council and on the C.N.A. Insurance President Council. Governor Andrus appointed George to head a property insurance committee to analyze property casualty insurance for the State of Idaho, which saved thousands of dollars in premiums for the State. George was also President of the Idaho Falls J.C.’s, a member of the Chamber of Commerce, and a member of the Idaho Falls Country Club for 48 years where he achieved two holes-in-one.

George retired in 1992 and married Paulette Brooks. Through this marriage, he enjoyed two stepchildren, Jennifer Brooks Darcy and Russell Brooks.

George enjoyed snow skiing, waterskiing, boating, hunting, fishing, golf, and traveling to China, Thailand, England, Italy, and Monaco. He also loved crossing the United States several times.

George is survived by his wife, Paulette Ball; son, Douglas (Michelle) Ball; daughter, Susan (Wayne) Steele; stepdaughter, Jennifer (Brian) Darcy; stepson, Russell (Kim) Brooks; grandchildren, Janelle (Dustin) Lalum, Jake (Coby) Steele, Conrad (Melissa) Ball, Rebecca (Tim) Carey-Smith, Patrick (Priya) Ball, Jack Darcy, Alex Darcy, Claira Brooks, and Carson Brooks; great grandchildren, Hudson Steele, Mackenzie Steele, Siena Lalum, Preston Lalum, Jameson Ball, Gavin Ball, Emma Carey-Smith, and Kira Ball.

George was preceded in death by his parents, Ephriam Berry Ball and Elizabeth Ball; seven brothers, Chance Ball, Elmer Ball, Cecil Ball, LaVerl Ball, Alton Ball, Don Ball, Mark Ball, and Arthur Ball; three sisters, Mary Holm, Martha Messic, and Ruth Moore. 

A graveside service will be held at 12 Noon on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the Ammon Cemetery, 5226 East Sunnyside Road, Ammon, Idaho. The family will visit with friends from 10-11 a.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 North Ridge Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho, prior to the service. Military Honors will be performed by the Bonneville County Veterans Memorial Team and the United States Air Force.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to Aspen Home Health and Hospice.