Founder of Coweta 911, Eddie Ball dies at 67
By W. WINSTON SKINNER
winston@newnan.com
Eddie Ball, who started Coweta County’s 911 program after serving in a number of county positions, has died.
Ball, 67, died Saturday at his home. He had retired from Coweta County in 2008 after 35 years with county government. Ball has also served in the U.S. Navy from 1966-1973.
Ball was born in Newnan on March 2, 1945, into a family with a long public service record. His aunt, Martha Ball, was Newnan’s city clerk for years.
After graduating from Newnan High School, Eddie Ball joined the Navy. He served in Vietnam and was an electronics shop supervisor during his military years.
Ball also was involved with the Polaris missile and nuclear reliability programs and worked for 18 months as a military police officer.
After completing his military duties, Ball worked in city and state government posts in South Carolina. He returned to Coweta County in 1973, working as a sheriff’s deputy for two years. He lived in Senoia for a time and owned and operated two businesses there.
Ball earned a degree in electronics engineering technology from the University at Albany, SUNY in 1984. He also completed the Blackstone paralegal program.
Over the years, Ball served as justice of the peace and magistrate judge. He was the county’s first 911 director and served in that post – and as Coweta Emergency Management Agency director – until his retirement. In 1990, he started the county’s 911 program.
Ball was a Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training certified instructor and was a member of Georgia APCO, an organization for public safety communications leaders.
Ball also served as president of the Georgia National Emergency Number Association.
In a message posted on Ball’s Facebook page, Arlene Whisenhunt, current Coweta 911 director, described Ball as “an advocate for 911” and stated “the entire 911 community benefitted from his knowledge and experience.”
In retirement, Ball enjoyed leatherworking. He had learned the craft years before as a Boy Scout, but took up leather projects again after seeing a craftsman on a trip to Six Flags Over Georgia.
Ball is survived by his wife, Angela, and his son, Tinsley Ball. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tinsley Hope Ball Kidney Fund at Bank Of Coweta, 192 Temple Ave., Newnan, Ga., 30263.
