William "Bill" Alfred Ferrell 

August 9, 1918 - June 6, 2008
William Alfred “Bill” Ferrell died peacefully on June 6, 2008 at his home in Little Rock, Arkansas after an extended illness.

Bill lived a long, full and exemplary life. Born on August 9, 1918 to William Harrison Ferrell and Fanny Bates Ferrell, he was raised on a farm outside Independence, Kansas, during the “Roaring 20s” and the Great Depression of the 1930s. Subsequent to the 12/7/1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for the Army Air Corps, trained as a pilot, was stationed in England, and flew B-17 bombers over Europe battling the Luftwaffe and anti-aircraft fire. His bravery and mission success in WWII was recognized with numerous medals and commendations. He was the last surviving member of his B-17 crew of 11 men. While in England, Bill met and married his wife of 63 years, Olive. After the war’s end, Bill and Olive returned to Independence to begin a family and career. Bill went to work for the Sun Oil Company, initially in Oklahoma and then in Conway, Arkansas, retiring from Sun 38 years later. He also served in the Air Force Reserve, and was active in Rotary and the VFW.

A quiet and unsung hero, Bill Ferrell was truly a member of the “Greatest Generation” and lived the kind of life that contributed so much to his family, friends, community and country. He was hardworking, dedicated, loyal, courageous, considerate, thrifty and selfless, and he passed these values onto his children while also ensuring that they, the next generation, got more education and opportunity than he did.

He is survived by his wife Olive, son Kevin and daughter-in-law Frederica and their sons Bill and Paul, daughter Meriel and her son Jared, daughter Valerie and son-in-law Brian Campbell and their sons Ian and Conner, and daughter Lisa and son-in-law Jim Jackson and their children Adam, Luke and Lily Nan. He was preceded in death by his parents, his twin brother Charles, his sisters Helen and Elizabeth and his brothers, Paul and Mack. 

A memorial service will be held 4:30 PM Monday, June 9, 2008 at Christ the King Catholic Church, 4002 N Rodney Parham Rd, Little Rock with Roller-Chenal Funeral Home (501)224-8300 assisting.

Please send donations to the Polycystic Kidney Disease Foundation, 9221 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, MO, 64114-3367, in lieu of flowers.