Clarence Leonard "Clay" Ball, age 81, of Atchison, KS, passed peacefully on August 1, 2025.

An Elk's Service to celebrate and honor Clay's life will be on Friday, August 8, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home. The family will receive friends for a visitation on Friday, from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest at a later date in Cummings Cemetery. Memorials may be left to the Atchison Elks Lodge and will be designated to the Christmas Baskets, which Clay was a part of getting started. A lunch and continued celebration of his life will follow the service at the Elk's Lodge. Cremation care entrusted to the Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home.

Clarence was born on October 6, 1943, in Atchison, KS, the son of Leonard Andrew Ball and Thelma Orveta (Sherman) Ball. He attended schools in Atchison and is a graduate of Atchison High School. He was a proud member of the Atchison Elks Lodge and American Legion.

Clay was a man of many traits and skills and worked various jobs throughout his career, but he took the most pride in being a police officer and working at the Atchison County Jail. In his younger years, he enjoyed bowling, riding motorcycles and maybe even enjoying a cold beer. Most of his free time was spent reading and watching old westerns. He lived in Colorado for a few years and has since always loved the mountains. Above all his hobbies, his family was the most important to him, even though at times they may be a little chaotic! His children and all the grandchildren meant the world to him.

He married Bernice Bomberger on July 8, 1961, in Platte City, MO, and they have cherished 64 years of marriage; she survives of the home. He is also survived by his children, Robin Allen, Christopher (Lisa) Ball, Debbie (Joe) Taliaferro, Clinton Ball (Lindsey Grant), and David Ball; and his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren; and his beloved dog, Stormy.

He is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, Orveta Ball, Patty Jo Herbers, and his third born child, his daughter, Cheryl Renee Ball