William Lee Ferrell

William Lee Ferrell, a devoted family man, kind friend to all, and true force of nature, passed peacefully into heaven at the age of 83. William, known to his friends as Bill, was the beloved son of Dorothy and E.L. Ferrell, who raised him on their family's chicken ranch in Sylmar. He spent his college years at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Bill's extraordinary life was defined by his infectious can-do spirit, a firm handshake that always included a hug or a tight grasp of the shoulder, and his magnetic zest for life that he so freely shared.
Bill met the love of his life, Carol, as a teenager on a blind date in La Crescenta. Together, they embarked on a 61-year journey of love, adventure, and unwavering devotion to family. In 1980, Bill and Carol relocated their young family to Ventura, transforming a raw piece of land into a beautiful and cherished oasis that has been their home for the past 43 years.
Bill was a man drawn to challenges-a natural problem solver and entrepreneur who could see possibilities where others saw obstacles. He successfully built partnerships, businesses, and passionate side hustles that provided a solid foundation for his family and enriching stories for friends. His strong friendships were deeply important to him. In his later years, he cherished
working alongside his sons in their profession, offering his wisdom, guidance and passing on the hard-fought lessons he had learned. Bill had a genuine ability to be present and connect with people from all walks of life. He made everyone he met feel like they were the most important person in the world-filling them with laughter and inspiration.
But his pride and joy, what he considered his greatest accomplishment, is his wonderful family. He cherished his role as a loving husband, a devoted father, and a lovely "Poppy" to his grandchildren, welcoming his youngest grandchild, Lola Lee, into the world just this past summer at the age of 82.
Bill is survived by his wife, Carol, daughter Heather (Jeff) Gilliam, sons Brooks (Jessica) Ferrell, and Miles (Julie) Ferrell, and 5 grandchildren, Max (Niki) Gilliam, Brooke Gilliam, Lincoln Ferrell, Olive Ferrell, and Lola Ferrell. He was so incredibly proud of them.
Bill left us with a blueprint for a life well-lived, one filled with passion, connection, and an unwavering love and commitment to one another. Bill's spirit will forever guide those lucky enough to have known him. He was a titan among men-he did it his way and lived the life of his dreams.