Dr. William F. Ferguson

Dr. William F. Ferguson, 83, passed away on March 24, 2024, after a short illness. He was born in Carroll County, Mississippi on November 6, 1940, to James Vaiden and Edith Fondren Ferguson. He attended Winona Public Schools, graduating in 1958. He attended Mississippi State for his BS degree in Math and History, graduating in 1961. After several years of teaching high school math in Port Gibson, Mississippi he returned to college. He attended Mississippi State University as part of the Math and Science Fellowship and graduated with a Master's Degree in Mathematics. He then attended the University of Mississippi where he obtained his Doctoral Degree in Education. He joined the teaching staff at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. He served several years until he returned to Mississippi and took a teaching position at the University of Southern Mississippi where he remained for 30 years. While there he taught Master's and Doctoral level classes and took part in many of the students' doctoral dissertations, acting as student advisor and sitting on the thesis committee. He was very active in the International Student's Program and with the students who were there to further their teaching and English-language studies. On numerous occasions during his teaching career, he was awarded the honor of "Best Professor" by the graduate students. As a legacy to his commitment to education, his students teach all over the world. After retiring, he found enjoyment in working with Habitat for Humanity, working on several projects in Hattiesburg and Hernando, Mississippi. Dr. Ferguson was an active member of Hernando Methodist Church and enjoyed his time with his Sunday School group. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, James V. and Maurice. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ginger; one son, Claiborne and his wife LeAnna; his sister Celeste Ferguson Bush and her husband Wayne; and his four grandchildren, Tristan, Spencer Shay, Abigail and Evelyn. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Hernando Methodist Church's building fund.