William (Bill) Malcolm Ferguson

FERGUSON, William M. (Bill) age 84 died on December 4th at St. Vincent's Hospital after a battle with cancer. He loved his family with all his heart and felt his family was his greatest success in life.

Bill was recognized in his Sylacauga senior high school yearbook as "Most Dependable" and his life demonstrated that keen early perception in his work, family, and civic relationships.

He completed an Engineering degree at the Georgia Institute of Technology, under the Cooperative Education Plan, with work quarters with Southern Bell Telephone Company.

Following graduation he began a Bell System career, that saw him given some 20 different job assignments in more than 10 corporate function areas in Southern Bell, South Central Bell, Western Electric and Bell Laboratories.

He concluded a more than 30-year career as President of the BellSouth Network Group. Between 1986 and 1989, he served as South Central Bell's Vice President for Alabama, overseeing the company's operations throughout the state. In 1990-91 he was a member of the South Central Bell Board of Directors and served the company as Executive Vice President.

He co-chaired the annual Birmingham United Way campaign, served as Chairman of the Alabama School of Fine Arts Board of Directors, and sat on the boards of the Metropolitan Development Board, the Metropolitan Arts Council, and the Business Council of Alabama, among others. More recently, he served on the UAB School of Nursing Campaign Building Committee.

Bill's love of the Methodist Church began in his youth as he was an active member and leader of the Sylacauga Methodist Youth Fellowship. In his Birmingham years, he was President of his Sunday School class at Asbury United Methodist and was chair of the Asbury Finance Committee. In the years before and after Asbury, he was an active member of the Genesis Sunday School class at Vestavia Methodist.

He was a Charter Member of the Summit Club and Greystone Golf and Country Club and a long-time member of the Vestavia Country Club.

He treasured his family and the time spent with them. In retirement, he was never happier than when he was carrying his family on trips throughout the United States, Europe, and the Caribbean. He loved being on the water and owned a sailboat for many years and sailed at travel destinations whenever he could.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother. He is survived by his best friend and beloved wife of over 57 years, Janice Wood Ferguson, his wonderful son and daughter-in-law, four awesome grandchildren and granddaughters-in-law, sister, brothers-in-law, and nieces.

He loved music, especially church music, and in lieu of flowers, donations would be welcome at Vestavia Methodist Church, 2061 Kentucky Avenue, Vestavia, AL 35216, for its music program.

There will be a private interment service followed by a Celebration of Life service at Vestavia Methodist Church on January 3rd, 2026 with visitation at 10am and the service at 11am followed by a reception at the church.