WILLADEAN EVANS WILLIAMS BALL

September 18, 1926 — September 29, 2024

Fort Worth

Willadean was born September 18, 1926 in Moran, Texas, the daughter of Printus Clifford Evans and Opal Simpson Evans. The family moved throughout Texas following her father’s career in the oil fields and as a water well driller. She graduated from Azle High School in 1944 as valedictorian, and as a Nurse Cadet entered the Harris College of Nursing, from which she graduated as an RN in 1946.

She married William Kenneth Williams in 1946 and they welcomed three daughters, Pamela Williams Wagner, Deborah Williams Banks and Julie Williams Howerton. As they raised their family, Willadean worked part time in physicians’ offices and in Labor and Delivery at Harris Methodist Hospital.

Willadean returned to school, earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Texas Christian University in 1964, and went to work as an instructor of Pediatric Nursing in the Harris College of Nursing at TCU. In 1972, she received a Master of Science degree from the Nursing School at TWU and qualified as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. Willadean retired from TCU as an Emeritus Professor in 1989.

The family were members of the Southern Baptist Church where Willadean was an active member throughout her life, serving as a Sunday School teacher and participating in Bible Studies. During retirement, she taught GED and ESL class through her church.

Willadean taught her daughters to sew and knit, and with her daughters was actively involved in Camp Fire Girls, spending many nights at Camp El Tesoro making s'mores and cooking by camp fire.

Travel was a life long passion for Willadean, she and Kenneth traveled to England and Europe many times, and after his death she continued to travel with her close friend Katy Nichols. She was also an avid supporter of Texas Christian University football and basketball, attending all home games and many on the road. Nearly half of her wardrobe was purple. She had an interes in genealogy and spent many hours in libraries researching and served as the Registrar, and later the Regent, of the Mary Isham Keith Chapter of the DAR.

Willadean was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Kenneth who died August 1, 1979, second husband Henry (Jeff) Ball, brothers William D. Evans and Edward E. Evans.

She is survived by her sister Ida Louise Ownby, her three daughters, son-in-law Danny Howerton, grandchildren Kellie Wagner-Witt, Stephanie Erin Banks, Jared E. Banks, Colby S. Howerton, Sean R. Howerton and Neil R. Howerton, eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will gather from 1 to 2 pm Monday, October 14, in the Great Room at Harper & Lucas, formerly ROBERTSON MUELLER HARPER, with a Service at the Grave to follow in Laurel Land Memorial Park.

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WILLADEAN EVANS WILLIAMS BALL

September 18, 1926 — September 29, 2024

Fort Worth

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