Harvey R. Ball

April 14, 2001 - WORCESTER -- Harvey R. Ball, 79, of 38 Walnut Hill Drive, a World War II veteran and a commercial artist known for designing the Smiley Face logo, died Thursday, April 12, in Jewish Healthcare Center after a short illness.

He leaves his wife of 54 years, Winifred A. (Trudell) Ball; a daughter, Jacquelyn M. Stein of Worcester; three sons, Thomas H. Ball of Boston, Charles P. and Richard E. Ball, both of Worcester; two brothers, Raymond Ball of Shrewsbury and Merritt Ball of New London, Conn.; a sister, Virginia Ball of Worcester; seven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces. A brother, Ernest G. Ball, and a sister, Jessie Gowans, both of Worcester, predeceased him. He was born in Worcester, son of Ernest G. and Christine (Ross) Ball, and lived here most of his life.

He graduated from South High School in 1940 and Worcester Art Museum in 1946. He was an Army veteran of World War II, serving in Asia and the Pacific, including Okinawa and Leyte. He served 27 years in the National Guard, retiring as a brigadier general in 1973. He served six years in the Army Reserves, retiring as a full colonel in 1979. Mr. Ball was a self-employed commercial artist for the past 42 years. He designed the Smiley Face logo in 1963.

He was an associate member of American Legion Tatnuck Post 288; a member of Greendale Post 319 American Legion, 40 & 8 Local 113, the First Friday Club of Worcester, the 96th Infantry Division Association, and the Retired Officers Association; and a charter member of St. Charles Borromeo Church. In 1964, he was a military aide to Gov. John Volpe. He organized the first World Smile Day in 1999. Mr. Ball earned the Veteran of the Year award from the Worcester Veterans Council in 1999.

The funeral will be held Tuesday, April 17, from Rice Funeral Home, 300 Park Ave., with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 341 June St. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Monday, April 16, in the funeral home. Members of American Legion Post 319 will meet at 6 p.m. during the calling hours to conduct their ritual. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Church, 341 June St., Worcester, MA 01602; or to Worcester Historical Museum, 30 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609.

April 13, 2001 - WORCESTER -- Harvey R. Ball, whose creation of two black dots and an upturned curve on a yellow background became one the most universally known symbols of good cheer in the 20th century, died yesterday at the age of 79.

Mr. Ball, a lifelong city resident and decorated World War II veteran, died at the Jewish Health Care Center after a short illness. He is survived by his wife, Winifred, three sons and a daughter. The Smiley Face, designed by Mr. Ball in 1963 to boost employee morale of two merged insurance companies, became as ubiquitous a grin as that of the Mona Lisa. Unlike da Vinci's dame, there was nothing enigmatic about the Smiley Face. Its straight-ahead, feel-good silliness propelled the image to the far corners of the planet.

``It was truly an international icon,'' said William B. Wallace, director of the Worcester Historical Museum.

At its peak of popularity in 1971, more than 50 million Smiley Face buttons were sold. The infectiously happy creature has been used in countless advertising campaigns, most recently by Wal-Mart.

But Mr. Ball's income from the design totaled the $45 he was paid by State Mutual Life Assurance Cos. of America in 1963. The company has since changed its name to Allmerica.

Mr. Ball never applied for a trademark or copyright, something his son, Charles Ball, said his father never regretted. ``He was not a money-driven guy,'' Charles Ball said. ``He used to say, `Hey, I can only eat one steak at a time, drive one car at a time.' He was proud and pleased to have served his country and raise a family that never wanted for anything.

He had kids in public schools who adored him. He'd get letters from all over the world thanking him for Smiley. How do you put a price on that? He died with no apologies and no regrets.''

Over the years, impostors tried to claim the Smiley Face as their own, including a guest on the television quiz show ``What's My Line?'' in 1971, and more recently a French designer.

Mr. Ball's provenance has withstood all challenges. His son said his father did appreciate the international recognition that eventually came his way. ``He understood its value to make people around the world feel good,'' Charles Ball said.

Mr. Ball grew up on Abbott Street and was a graduate of South High School and the Worcester Art Museum School.

A World War II Army veteran, Mr. Ball was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism during the Battle of Okinawa. According to the award citation, Mr. Ball continued to set up a vital communications line while under sniper fire. He eventually completed the hookup and took out the sniper.

``Of all the great things he experienced in his life, he was most proud of his World War II service,'' Charles Ball said. ``He lived through the carnage of Okinawa. Death was no mystery to him. It was life that surprised him.''

Mr. Ball said his father was sure of where he was going in life and why. ``He had a very clear sense of right and wrong,'' he said. ``He wasn't troubled by gray areas and angst. He didn't have time for that. He was solid in his principles. His moral compass stayed on north and never wavered.''

In his last few years, Mr. Ball began sketching three men who served with him in the Pacific. ``He had been sitting with these three buddies when the commanding officer called him over,'' Mr. Ball said. ``He wasn't 10 feet away when a shell hit and killed the three guys. He used to say that shell left seven children without fathers and three widows. The worst of it was it was friendly fire.''

Mr. Ball owned an advertising and public relations firm along with Roger P. Magnusson. He designed several medals for the Massachusetts National Guard, in which he served as an officer.

In the pre-computer graphics era of the early 1980s, he developed a technique for creating a three-dimensional effect on a two-dimensional surface, using modified watercolors. At the time of his death, Mr. Ball still had an art studio on Main Street.

``Until the last few months he had a sharp eye and a steady hand,'' his son said. He created posters for World Smile Day, begun by Mr. Ball two years ago. The third celebration will be Oct. 5.

The Smiley Face had a resurgence of popularity in the late 1980s and shows no sign of disappearing. In 1999, the U.S. Postal Service issued a Smiley Face stamp. Mr. Wallace said the cable History Channel is planning a segment on Mr. Ball and the Smiley Face for its series on the 1960s.

Mr. Ball's funeral service will be Tuesday. The Rice Funeral Home is handling the arrangements, which hadn't been completed last night.

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