William "Bill" Hiram Ferrier, Jr, of Waynesboro, Virginia, entered his heavenly home on Wednesday, April 5, 2023.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend,  neighbor, and "Paw Paw" to many. His devotion to God and his family was apparent to all who knew him.

Bill was born to the late William Hiram Ferrier, Sr. and Rosa Lee Olgesby Ferrier on January 26, 1927 in Aloha, Louisiana. He served his country proudly in the Navy on the U.S.S. Gillette, which deployed from San Diego, California and cruised the Pacific. He served from 1945-1948. He retired after 37 years as a maintenance worker at the E.I.DuPont company.

Bill loved his seven brothers and four sisters. He married his life-long love and best friend from Beech Grove, Virginia, "Pat" Fields Ferrier on October 4, 1950. Together, Pat and Bill had four amazing children, who filled their world with love and joy. Bill was an avid fisherman and enjoyed many hours of fishing on the banks of the South River that meanders at the base of his backyard.

Bill's faith in God sustained and directed him. He was a founding member of West Waynesboro Church of Christ which was established in 1955. Bill served as a deacon, elder, Sunday school teacher, Sunday school superintendent, as well as a manager, coach and player on the church's softball team.

Bill loved the outdoors. In addition to fishing, he also enjoyed hunting, gardening, and visiting Myrtle Beach. He was a wonderful softball player and even hit a home run while in his 60s. He loved watching the New York Yankees play baseball and the University of Virginia Cavaliers play basketball.

Bill, was soft-spoken, gentle, and kind. Together, Pat and Bill touched many lives and are affectionately known to many as "Nanny and Paw Paw."  Bill loved playing with his grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and numerous other children that Pat babysat. He often took them fishing, and they especially loved the rides he gave them up and down the big hill in his backyard on his lawnmower. He had a dry wit and a keen sense of humor, often providing some much needed levity.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Pat Ferrier, daughter-in-law, Catana Ferrier, grandchildren, Rod Ferrier, Megan Ferrier Miller (Vernon), Melissa Sprague (Mike), great-grandchildren, Cierra, Cheyenne, Ian, and Dylan Ferrier, Kylee, Ashlyn, Nicole, and Beckah

Miller, Tessa Sprague, brother, L.G. Ferrier (Delores), and a number of nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four sisters, six brothers, two daughters, Patti Gayle Ferrier and Lisa K. Marrs, and two sons, Ritchie Ferrier and Kevin Ferrier.

The family will welcome visitors from 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at West Waynesboro Church of Christ, 2212 Cortland Street, Waynesboro, Virginia.

A service with military rites to celebrate Bill's life and to honor his memory will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with burial following at Beech Grove Cemetery, Roseland, Virginia, at 2:00 p.m. Pastor Chad Grondin will officiate.

Pallbearers are: Vernon Miller, Mike Sprague, G.G. Fields, Louis Ferrier, Greg Ferrier, Ian Ferrier, Dylan Ferrier, and Buddy Braxton. Honorary pallbearers are: David Boatright, Kip Hughes, Dick Moyer, Lanny Campbell, Jeff Woodie, Steve Campbell, Clarence Coeyman, and members of the "Young at Heart" Sunday school class.

Contributions in Bill's honor may be made to the Waynesboro First Aid Crew or the W.A.R.M. shelter, 1035 Fairfax Ave Waynesboro, Virginia 22980.