In this study we investigate the wake of a rotating and translating sphere in quiescent fluid experimentally at Reynolds numbers (Re) ranging between 100 to 2000. We also study the effect of wall proximity on wake for different rotation rates and gap between the wall and the sphere. Non-dimensional rotation rate is defined as the ratio of ratio of surface velocity and the translation velocity of the sphere and a range of 0.375 to 0.75 are considered in the present study. The effect of rotation rate on transition from steady to unsteady flow has been studied and transition Re has been identified. Unsteady flow at lower Re generally dominated by hairpin type of vortex shedding switches from one sided to double sided with increase in Reynolds number and is dependent on the rotation rate as well. Laminar to turbulent flow transition has been identified for different combinations of Re and rotation rate. The Strouhal number shows an increasing trend with Re when rotation is introduced and there exists a dual frequency due to the breakdown of hairpin vortex once it crosses the transition regime. Effect of rotation rate on transition Re has been identified. Vortex rings and boundary layer interactions modifies the wake and affects the transition Re.