of Conway, AR
July 23, 1951 - March 4, 2016
William Lee Ferguson, 64, of Conway, Arkansas, died March 4, 2016, in Conway. He was born July 23, 1951, in Little Rock, Arkansas. Bill was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Virginia Robins Ferguson. He is survived by his father, Hubert L. Ferguson, of Boxley, Arkansas, one brother, John Ferguson (Gloria) of Conway, and one sister, Francie Ferguson Bolter (Brian) of Mayflower; his three daughters, Natalee Ferguson of Little Rock, Mary Catherine Ferguson of Austin, TX, and Elizabeth Ferguson (Grant Optiz) of Little Rock, and one grandson, Gabriel Lee Ferguson. A life-long resident of Conway, Bill attended Irby Demonstration School and Sallie Cone Elementary, graduating from Conway High School in 1969. He enrolled in UCA and graduated with a BA in Theatre in 1973. Following graduation, he was accepted into New York City's Circle in the Square. He later returned to Arkansas and joined the family's printing business, Conway Printing Company, in 1975. He worked there for 38 years until his retirement in 2008.
Bill had a life-long passion for music and performance. He honed his talent for singing in the CJHS Glee Club and the First Baptist Church choir, and started his musical performance career with The Intermission, a band favorite at the Conway Teen Center. He was an original member of the ''new grass'' band Toad Suck Symphony, and for 35 years sang and played bass fiddle in the band. He was a founding and faithful member of Conway's Men's Chorus. From choreographed answering machine greetings to impromptu acapella collaborations with travelers on ferries, to harmonizing with his family on the banks of the Buffalo River, Bill was most in his element while performing. Bill loved the natural world. He especially enjoyed bird-watching, the Buffalo River and science. He was an avid reader and loved to share new-found knowledge with friends and family. When his girls were younger, he loved to facilitate spelling competitions, encouraged and supported their participation in sports and would attempt to answer any question even if he had to slightly embellish his knowledge. The central role of Bill's life was the role of father to his three girls and proud grandfather to his grandson, Gabriel.
A memorial service will be held in Greene Chapel at Hendrix College at 11 am Wednesday March 9th. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorials to the Cosmopolitan Foundation, P.O. Box 7205, Little Rock, AR 72217 or the Ferguson-Robins Honors College Scholarship at UCA.
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36 Condolence(s)
Debbie & Richard Goggans
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Dear Family,
We are very sorry for your loss. Bill was a wonderful man whom we have know for many, many years. Richard & I ran into him at a local restaurant not too long ago and he was bragging about his beautiful family. M.C. you and your family will always be in our hearts and prayers. God Bless you all.
Marsha Black McClanahan
Thursday, March 10, 2016
Hubert, Francie and John, my heart is very sad to hear of Bill's death. I have so many memories of the whole family and our life together as neighbor's. It was so good to be in Conway for 8 years and get to see you all again. You all are so dear to me.
Edd & Donna Erbach
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Our deepest sympathy for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this difficult time. May your fond memories bring you comfort.
Edd & Donna Erbach
David and E.J. Huggins
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Our condolences go out to Bill's family . May God watch over you at this time. E.J. and I will keep you in our prayers .
Lisa Naylor Reed
Wednesday, March 9, 2016
I feel so sad for you all, but even now, it's hard not to smile thinking of Mr. Bill. I hope all of your memories can serve as comfort. Love to all.
Ken Gipson
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
So sorry to hear of Bill's passing, I enjoyed his friendship, his music and singing with him in the Conway Men's Chorus. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you in his family. May God bless each of you.
Jenna Carll
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
I am so sorry for your loss and am sending love to you all.
Laura McCadden Thomas
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
My heart is saddened at the loss your family shares. I remember him fondly and will keep you in my thoughts but also hope for peace and joy to return to you all.
Jimmy Bryant
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
My condolences to Bill's family. Bill was always very kind to me and he would go out of his way to speak when we met. He invited me to sing in the Conway Men's Chorus on many occasions and I appreciated his friendly demeanor. He will be missed.
Suzanne Dunaway Harris
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Bill was such a part of my memories of Conway.
Love to you all!
Janet Crow
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
So very sorry to hear of your loss !
David & Janet Crow
Janet Crow
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
So very sorry to hear of your loss !
David & Janet Crow
Diane Fugatt and Sherry Fugatt Lambert
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Natalee, our hearts go out to you and your family. We really liked Bill and loved how nice he was to our Dad. Our prayers are with all of you at this dfficult time.
Diane and Sherry
Lulu Thompson
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
Hubert, John and # 5, I am so sorry, Love #4. Precious girls, your Dad adored each of you, Love, Lulu
Rebecca Norman Prestwood
Tuesday, March 8, 2016
I'm truly sorry to learn of Bill's passing. My thoughts are with you all.
Judy Reynolds Henard
Monday, March 7, 2016
My thoughts & prayers are with the family of this gifted & caring man. RIP BillðŸ™ðŸ»
Keith Wilson
Monday, March 7, 2016
My sympathy to your family. May God be with you.
Kaye Hoggard
Monday, March 7, 2016
My heart breaks for all of you I have good memories of Bill and the music. Because the two were inseparable. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Erin Roland Haynes
Monday, March 7, 2016
Godspeed, Mr. Bill.
Cindy (Yarbrough) Watkins
Monday, March 7, 2016
RIP Bill. Shine your light in Heaven! Another friend who we lost too soon! Prayers for Bill's family, loved ones and friends.
Lisa Reed Crowson
Monday, March 7, 2016
I am so heartbroken. Ferg was one of a kind. He was so proud of his family and couldn't wait to update me on each & every one of you! He always had a smile on his face .He will be missed!! Hugs to you all.
David Dorey
Monday, March 7, 2016
Sad to hear of Bill's passing. Our birthdays were two days apart. He was a great guy, always smiling. May God be with his family.
Chris loveless Strauss
Monday, March 7, 2016
Gary Speed
Monday, March 7, 2016
My heart goes out to all of Bill's family. He was so talented and I admired him all my life. I remember enjoying his musical groups and talents beginning in my junior high days. Prayers go out to all of his family as they cherish sweet memories of his life.
Diane Booth
Monday, March 7, 2016
Gates & I were so sorry to hear of Bill's death. Praying for you Francie, and your family.
Bob Barham & Family
Monday, March 7, 2016
Our deepest sympathy to Bill's family. He was a great guy who always had a story to tell with a smile on his face. I will certainly miss visiting with him. When I think of Bill, I will always remember how proud he was of his daughters as they were growing up. He would speak of his love for them everytime I would see him. God Bless this family. May the Lord comfort you all in your time of sorrow.
Romans 8:28
Bill Ward
Monday, March 7, 2016
I am heart broken to hear of Bill’s passing. He was my good friend, singing together in the Conway Men’s Chorus since its inception. When my late wife, Suzy, and I led the Chorus for five seasons, Bill was my right-hand man, not only serving as an efficient librarian but producing tasteful programs and being oh-so-encouraging … always. I pray God’s blessing on his children and grandchild, and especially to Hubert, John and Francie.
Jackie Lane Moix
Monday, March 7, 2016
RIP. Bill. God Bless your family.
Mark Setzler
Monday, March 7, 2016
My prayers of comfort go out to Bill's family. He was a dear friend and high school classmate and I'll miss him.
Gary Crocker
Monday, March 7, 2016
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I have many treasured memories from my friendship with Bill in the 70's.
Frank ie Kinard
Monday, March 7, 2016
Hubert, & Johnny
So sorry for your losses. Billy was a "wild & crazy" kid..always a smile on his face.
All my Prayers & Condolences to you two and ALL your Families.
GOD Bless
Frankie
Susan Baldridge Mayes
Monday, March 7, 2016
I am so sad and have been thinking of hardly anything else since I found out yesterday through dad. I have tried to work out a plan to come for the memorial but cannot pull it off with the late airline travel and school responsibilities. Know that I am thinking of you, Hubert, and all my cousins.
Love,
Susan
Suzann Floyd
Monday, March 7, 2016
My heartfelt condolences to your entire family. Bill will be greatly missed. Suzann Floyd
Julie Hill
Monday, March 7, 2016
Bill was such a talented person. Lots of memories from our old neighborhood.
Praying for all of you.
Laura olsen
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Our thoughts are with you all. We miss you . Love, Laura and deb
Jim Builteman
Sunday, March 6, 2016
My love and support goes out to all of Bill's family members. I remember you all with fond memories of the time we all spent together. I treasure that time and the great moments with Bill.