Derwin Roy Ball was born in Greenbrier, Arkansas, on Oct. 28, 1926. He was the older son of James Roy and Louisa Delia (Elliott) Ball. He had one younger brother, Doyne. The family moved to Conway, Arkansas, and he graduated from Conway High in 1944. During his junior high years, he joined the Boy Scout Troop 71 at the Conway First United Methodist Church. Because of the strong influence of his troop leader, Derwin started attending that church and became a devoted Christian for the rest of his life.
Derwin enlisted in the Navy after his high school graduation. He served from 1944 to 1946, serving as a bombardier on long-range seaplane patrol bombers. Upon his honorable discharge in 1946, he enrolled in Hendrix College, where he earned a degree in health and physical education. He was a varsity athlete, lettering in football, basketball, and track. Also during those years, he met Blanche Estelle Foreman, and they married in August 1949.