Clayton News-Star
October 17, 2001
Retired Chief Warrant Officer, U.S. Air Force, William Smith "Bill" Ferrell, 84, of Clayton, died Saturday, Oct. 13, 2001. Funeral services were held Monday at 2 p.m. at McLaurin Funeral Home Chapel with Dr. John Allen officiating. Burial followed at Pinecrest Memorial Gardens.
Mr Ferrell is survived by his wife, Ruth N. Ferrell of Clayton; sons Larry Joseph Farrell of Idaho Falls, Idaho, John Alan Ferrell of Clayton, and Steven William Ferrell of Lynchburg, Va; six grandchildren; and four great grandchildren.
Memorial donations may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 411 N. Fayetteville St., Clayton, N.C.
[ED NOTE: Following is a paid by the family memorium. It contained a nice thumbnail photograph of Bill which was rendered unusable here by being microfilmed and then re-copied through a microfilm reader. GCW]
Clayton News-Star
(date not noted)
William Smith (Bill) Ferrell, retired USAF CWO WO-4, was born in Clayton in 1917, passed away Oct. 13, 2001, at the Laurels of Forest Glen where he was receiving rehabilitation. His funeral was held Oct. 15 at McLaurin Funeral Home Chapel. Interment was in the Garden of Honor with full military rites. Officiating was Dr. John Allen and the Reverand Tony McKee. Pallbearers were members of the American Legion.
He is survived by his wife Ruth Nye Ferrell of sixty years. Three sons, Larry Joseph Farrell and wife Dianne of Idaho Falls, Idaho, John Alan Ferrell and wife Cassie of Clayton, and Steven William Ferrell and wife Linda of Forest, Va. Six grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Niece Joyce Berwick and husband Jim of Bradington, FL. Nephew Gene Butler and wife Rose of Clayton & Port Charlotte, FL.
At the age of seventeen he went into military service doing a tour of duty at the Panama Canal Zone. In 1942 he was with the 8th Air Force, 351st Squadron in England. Later he did a tour of duty at Yokapo, Japan. In 1961 he retired from the miltary with 25 years service.
After returning to his hometown, Clayton, he was very active in the First Baptist Church, serving as Deacon. He was the commander of the VFW in Smithfield, president of the Rotary Club, Clayton Town Commissioner, active in the American legion and the DAV.
He loved God, Country, and his family. He will be missed by family and friends.
Betty Coats, of the Clayton Hocutt-Ellington Library, made the copies above per my request but deserves all the credit for our acquiring them. Thanks Betty, very much.
