Ferguson, William H.

William H. (Bill) Ferguson, 75, of Rich Creek, Va., passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, re-joining his wife of 32 years, Betty, in Heaven who passed two years before him.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Randy Fields; his parents, Clarence and Jenny Ferguson; and three siblings, James “Foggy” Ferguson, Betty McMillon and Alice Dillon.

Bill, who was affectionately known as “Flathead” to his closest friends, was born October 2, 1932, in Peterstown, W.Va. He graduated from Peterstown High School and joined the United States Army March 5, 1953. He was a Mess Attendant (Cook) during his career in the Army which ended February 25, 1955. Bill eventually went to work at the Celanese plant in Narrows and retired from there, after 32 years, in 1998.

Bill was an honorable man, admired by many, but his biggest fans were his nine children of the home, in Rich Creek. Bill fell in love and married his wife, Betty, and come into the home with no reservations. He took Betty’s six children into his arms to care for and they eventually added three more. The word “step” was never used before brother or sister and we were raised by Bill and Betty as one big family. It was an uphill struggle for them but as Bill and Betty always said in their later years, “We did it and we did it well.” Bill was and always will be a hero to his nine children.

Bill is survived by three siblings, Evelyn Broyles, of Lindside, W.Va., Louise Boothe and husband, Ed, of Peterstown, W.Va. and Raymond Ferguson and wife, Iris, of Blacklick, Ohio; 11 children, Billy Ferguson and wife, Jeannie, of Roanoke, Va., Joey Ferguson and wife, Brenda, of West Haven, Utah, Debbie Dill and husband, David, of Norman, Okla., David Fields, of Pearisburg, Va., Tracey Haney and husband, Bob, of Norman, Okla., Mike Fields and wife, Debbie, of Romeoville, Ill., Robin Weyer and husband, Dave, of Narrows, Va., Gary Fields and wife, Michele, of Pearisburg, Va., Timmy Fields and wife, Angela, of Narrows, Va. and Jason Ferguson, of the home in Rich Creek, Va.; 24 grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday, March 22, 2008, at 2 p.m. at the Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, in Peterstown, W.Va. with Pastor Shahn Wilburn officiating. Military Graveside Rites and burial will follow at the Sunrise Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Rich Creek, Va.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. Online guest book can be signed or condolences sent to the family at www.broyles-shrewsbury.com. Arrangements by Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home, Peterstown, W.Va.