Sandra Sue Ball

Sandra Sue Ball was born April 7, 1935 in Beatrice, Nebraska to Arlie and Eva (Pigg) Ball. She grew up in Beatrice, and graduated from Beatrice High School in 1953. As a young girl, Sandy enjoyed roller skating, and played the clarinet in the High School Marching Band. Sandra married Donald Willcoxon in 1953, and to this union, three children were born: Terry Lee, Tammy Sue, and Timothy Don. The family lived in Fairbury, Nebraska before moving to Omaha in 1966. Sandra worked as a waitress at Trovato’s restaurant in Dundee, then became the Administrative Assistant to Larry Botkin in the Engineering Department at Fruehauf/LBT where she worked for many years until her retirement in 2001. Sandra enjoyed painting, and gardening, and loved all blooming flowers. She liked the color red, and was a fan of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. She was a member of the Eagles’ Club and the Ranger Motorcycle Club. She was passionate about riding her motorcycle, and loved touring the country, especially visiting Wyoming, where her brother lived. She was part of a motorcycle group that would meet in Chicago, then tour Route 66, riding to California. She made this trip many times, usually striking out on her own to see other parts of the country before returning home. Sandra enjoyed feeding the birds as well as watching them while trying to identify the many varieties that would visit her trees. Sandra always had beautiful auburn hair, which she never colored, and never showed signs of graying! Sandra will be remembered as a beautiful, determined, strong, loving, and free-spirited woman. She was a brave woman who sought adventure, and a fighter, with great strength who accepted the challenges of her health. Sandra loved her family dearly, and was the best she could be for them. She cherished the births of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and the bonds she shared with all of them. Sandra passed away on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at Methodist Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 78 years and 9 days. She was preceded in death by her parents Arlie & Eva Ball, son Terry Lee Willcoxon, sisters Loris Rican and Melva Ball, brothers Ronal and Byron Ball, brother-in-law Robert Rican, and former husband Donald Willcoxon. Sandra is survived by her daughter Tammy Sue, and her husband, JR Reynolds of Omaha, son Timothy Don, and his wife, Debbie Willcoxon of Omaha, 7 grandchildren, 7 great grandchildren, sister-in-law Thelma Ball, and her cat, Kit.

Sandra Sue Ball

April 7, 1935 - April 16, 2013