Steve Balls

(From Mason-Woodard Mortuary)

In the early morning hours of July 21, 2026, while being held by loved ones, Steve W. Balls left us to join God in heaven where he has been given the gift of eternal life that was promised to us in John 3:16. He had bravely fought cancer for the past year and emerged victorious, only to be taken from us by the side effects of his treatments.

Born on June 4, 1947, in Fort Smith, Arkansas, Steve was the son of Jack W. and Emma Gene (Tull) Balls. The family later moved to Coffeyville, Kansas, where Steve grew up and graduated from Coffeyville High School in 1965. Steve was a soldier in the U.S. Army, fighting for his country during the Vietnam War. Unlike many of his brothers Steve came home in 1968 and began the task of building a life after war.

In 1970, he joined McCartney Mfg Co. (later Ingersoll-Rand) in Baxter Springs, Kansas, where he was given the task of getting their water jet cutting machine operational. He served as the customer service representative for the water jet cutting division until 1990, when he and his business partner Mike founded Waterjet Systems, Inc., which has since evolved into Waterjet Systems International. In 2012, Steve retired, allowing him and his wife Julie, whom he had married in March 1982, to embark on a journey of exploration and relaxation. They had recently renovated a lake house for their family and friends to enjoy and loved having everyone gather there for the summer holidays.

Steve, an outdoor enthusiast and found joy in various activities. When not working on building projects, he would ride his 4-wheeler through the woods or jet ski around the lake. In the winter, he would join his father-in-law, brother-in-law, and friends for pheasant hunting in North Central Kansas, later expanding his hunting grounds to Western Kansas with his friends Brian and Allen. Each hunt returned with captivating stories, ranging from blizzards to encounters with rattlesnakes. Alongside his passion for hunting, Steve had participated in competition shooting and later shared his knowledge and expertise with his wife, daughter, and grandkids, teaching them how to shoot and handle firearms safely.

Steve was preceded in death by his parents, his step-father Riley Bowyer, his sister Jacquline Grundy, his brother Ken Bowyer and his brother-in-law Gary Shipman.

He is survived by his wife Julie, his daughter Cassandra Patrick, grandsons Steven Patrick, William Patrick (Lydia) and granddaughter Olivia Patrick. His father-in-law Lonnie Shipman (Laurel), brother-in-law Chris Shipman (Sherry), brother-in-law Jerry Shipman (Cathy), nieces Denise Lawrence, Nancy Westervelt (David), Gayle Grundy, Kendra Miller (Aaron), Brittany Burks (Jordan), Lindsey Wagner (Garrett) and nephews Austin Shipman (Zaeleen), Anthony Shipman (Brenna) and Cole Shipman. Along with aunts, great nieces and nephews and cousins.

Memorial Service
Thursday, July 30, 2026
2:00PM
Mason - Woodard Chapel
3701 E. 7th Street
Joplin, MO 64801

Interment
Thursday, July 30, 2026
3:00PM
Baxter Springs Cemetery
166 West Ave, Baxter Springs, KS 66713
Baxter Springs, MO 64801