ED BALL

1926-

A skilled organizer, political coordinator and lawyer, Ed Ball served the United Steelworkers of America for 37 years as a jack-of-all-trades.

The native of Pottsboro won the National Debate Championship while at Denison High School and progressed to making speeches for U.S. Rep. Sam Rayburn. He interrupted his political career to serve in World War II in the Army Air Corps, and later received a degree from the University of Texas and the South Texas College of Law. 

As CIO political director in Houston, Brother Ball practiced labor law and helped form the Harris County Democrats. He joined USWA in 1957 and became, over time, an organizer, district political action coordinator, legislative representative, education coordinator, consent decree coordinator, safety and health coordinator and contract negotiator for local unions. By 1976, he was District Director, where he served as Chair of three national negotiating committees as Armco, Reynolds Metals and Asarco. 

In 1984, Brother Ball became International Secretary (later Secretary-Treasurer) of USWA, working out of Pittsburgh. He retired in 1994, having faithfully represented his union Brothers and Sisters in dozens of difficult negotiations.