William Ferris

It is with love in our hearts that we announce the peaceful passing of Commander William (Bill) Frederick Ferris, beloved husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, and friend. Bill was born in Oak Park, IL to Frederick Donald Ferris and Lura Mae Ferris (née Holland) on June 30th 1953. He was the oldest of 6 boys. He graduated from Lyons Township High School in La Grange Park, IL in 1971 as a letter athlete in both football and track and field. Commander Ferris was a graduate of the United States Naval Academy with the class of 1975 where he was part of the collegiate track and field team. Upon graduation, he reported directly to Pensacola to begin flight school on the P3-Orion. At the conclusion of flight school he and his wife lived in Mountain View, CA while Bill was stationed at Moffitt Naval Air Station. He was then assigned a post in Hawaii with VP-22. He would spend 2 years in Ewa Beach, HI before receiving orders to Meridian, MS. This time, he would be moving with his first daughter in tow. While in Mississippi he and his family welcomed a second daughter shortly before he was reassigned to join the USS Kitty Hawk in San Diego, CA. Most of Bill's time aboard the USS Kitty Hawk was spent at sea in the Pacific Ocean protecting our shores and country during the Cold War. Bill was accepted to the Naval Post Graduate school in 1985 and transferred to Monterey, CA to study Systems Engineering. He graduated with his Masters Degree shortly before being sent on deployment to the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Upon completion of his six month deployment, he and his family made their way to Hawaii and were stationed at Barbers Point with VP-6. In 1990 he received a Professorship position in the Weapons and Systems Engineering department at the United States Naval Academy. While teaching at the Naval Academy he was part of the sailing program and loved sharing his joy of sailing with the midshipmen that he taught. He would transfer just one more time while in the Navy before retiring after 26 years of service in 1997. Following his retirement, he began his second career flying cargo planes, most recently retiring from FedEx after 20 years of service with the title of Captain Ferris. CMDR Bill Ferris lived a life of service – service for his country, his family, and all those that were blessed to be touched by his light. He is survived by his wife, Janice Simmons of Annapolis, MD along with his daughters, Jenni Braught and her husband Chuck Braught of Lancaster, PA and daughter Kate Bill and her husband Thaddeus Bill of Chicago, IL. His beloved stepchildren Alexander Vatis, Ashleigh Abutboul, Jack Gardiner, Alison Shires, and Mary Beth Miller. His grandchildren, Ferris Bill, Charles Braught IV, Grace Braught, Ma-Lin-Da Vatis, Alia Abutboul, Eve Abutboul, Mia Abutboul, Easton Gardiner, Arthur John (AJ) Shires, Chase Miller, and Maxwell Miller, who lovingly refer to him as "Pop pop" and "Mister Bill." His father, Frederick Donald Ferris, and his 5 brothers: Jim, Joe, John, Greg, and Dave. He is predeceased by his first wife, Patti Jo Ferris (née Thomas), his second wife, Kimberly Vatis, and his mother, Lura Mae Ferris (née Holland). Memorial services for Commander Ferris will be held at the United States Naval Academy, St. Andrews Chapel on Thursday December 6, 2018 at 10:00 am, followed by a Committal at the Columbarium. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to American Cancer Society or the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society. donate3.cancer.org https://action.nmcrs.org/page/contribute/donate2015