ball was born in bangor, wales, in 1910. he acquired the nickname "errie" from his family's french maid who was tasked with caring for him and performing household duties. she had trouble pronouncing "henry", hence the name errie. "my father’s name was william henry ball. back in those days, henry became 'harry'," said ball, prior to his 100th birthday party. “my mother, from what they tell me, didn’t like the fact that they would be calling my father old harry and me young harry. we had a french maid at that time, and she said, ‘why don’t you call him ‘errie?’ and i’ve gone by that ever since. i wouldn’t turn around if you called me sam."