William "Bill" Ferrell

Our cherished husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, William “Bill” Ferrell, 92, was called home to his Heavenly Father, on Sunday June 21, 2015. Bill was born July 29, 1922 in Charleston, West Virginia to Pearl Alberts Ferrell and Cecil Ira Ferrell who both have preceded him. He attended East Bank High School and graduated in 1942. Bill attended Marshall University in 1942 however enlisted in the U.S. Navy as a pharmacist’s mate in the Hospital Corp during World War II; he was honorably discharged April 14, 1945. Bill attended West Virginia University from 1946 until 1947. In June 1946 he met the love of his life Opal Lee Reed and was married on March 13, 1947. They adored each other throughout their lives. After marrying Lee, Bill attended Concord college from 1952-1956 until the summer of 1956, where Bill and Lee moved to Jacksonville to start their journey for a better way of life. Dad lived his life and he along with mom raised their children with a strong loving foundation with God being first, his wife and family second and his commitment to serve not only his country but others. He was extremely proud of his Native American Cherokee Heritage and was a member Cherokee tribe of Georgia.

He demitted from Masonic Lodge #62 in Hinton, West Virginia to Riverside Lodge #266 in 1960 then joined the Scottish Rite Bodies in October 1962 and became a member of Scottish Rite Guard where he rose to Captain of the Guard. He was elected Commander of the Knights Commander Court of Honor in 1981, and served as Worshipful Master of Riverside Masonic Lodge in 1992 until 1993. He was elected to serve as Worthy Patron of the Order of Eastern Star of Riverside Chapter #118, alongside his beloved wife, Lee, who served as Worthy Matron of the Order of Eastern Star, Riverside Chapter #218. He was appointed in 1995 to serve as fund raising chairman for the Scottish Rite Foundation of Florida where monies he collected benefitted clinics throughout Florida for children with language disorders. He joined the Legion of Honor of Morocco Temple in 1995, served as Chaplin for 10 years, Adjutant, and was elected Commander of the Legion of Honor in 1999. He also served as Chairman of Scottish Rite Masonic picnic for all Masonic activities in 1996. He held that position for many years and was appointed as Chairman of the Masonic Family Unity picnic and parade honoring Grand Master, Samuel E. Cowan, and Imperial Potentate, Lew Brantley, in 1997. He was instrumental in getting a contract between the Scottish rite and Baptist/Wolfson Children’s Hospital in 1997 receiving certificates honorably recognizing him as the “most successful fundraiser” for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. He was coronate November 7, 1997 with the honor of Inspector General Honorary 33 degree in Pensacola, Fl and was awarded his fifty year pin in October 2012.

Dads’ Masonic history for the York Rite bodies of Jacksonville includes Chapter 12 Royal Arch Masons in August 1984; Hallmark Council 3, November 1984; Damascus Commandery 2 in August 1989. In 1998, he achieved Excellent High Priest followed by Commander in 1999, Illustrious Master in 2000, and was awarded Knight York Cross of Honor. He was bestowed his 50 Service Award November 11, 2010. He was a member of Gateway Council No. 51 Knight Masons and a member of N.E. Florida York Rite College #114.

Bill taught school in Duval County at Thomas Jefferson from 1957-1960. He began his career in insurance where he served as a general agent for Pan-American, Protective Life, and was assistant manager for Life of Virginia before starting his own company, William Ferrell & Associates in 1962. Throughout his illustrious insurance career he earned numerous outstanding awards and accolades for his sales and service. He developed and implemented the first tax shelter annuity for teachers and employees for the City of Jacksonville, where he served as the agent on record for many years. His civil involvement included the Westside Kiwanis Club, Westside Businessman Club, his churches both Murray Hill Methodist and Ortega United Methodist Church.

He is preceded in death by his son Dean Wesley Ferrell, his granddaughter, Christina Lee Ferrell and his grandson, Tommy Douglas Tant Jr., his brother, Carl Ferrell (Mary Lee). He is survived by his beloved and lovely wife, Opal Lee Ferrell, his children Mary Lee, Barbara Ferrell Tant(Tommy), Charles William Ferrell, Cia Stapp (Mike), and Teresa Ferrell DeVries. His grandchildren, Billy Englebrecht and Donna Englebrecht, Jonathan Lee, William Sinclair Tant, Tara Stapp Henley, Schuyler Ferrell Stapp and Andrew Prescott DeVries , his thirteen great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews.

The visitation for family and friends will be Friday, June 26, 2015, 3pm-5pm and 6pm-8pm at Hardage Giddens Funeral Home 729 S. Edgewood Ave. The funeral service will be held Saturday, June 27, 2015, 11am at Ortega United Methodist Church, burial with Masonic and Military Honors to follow at Jacksonville Memory Gardens.