William was born on his beloved family farm in Mt. Pleasant, MS, on December 4, 1933. He will join in heaven his parents, Ethel and Percy McFerrin, and his two older siblings, Sarah Molden and Thomas McFerrin. He is survived by his wife, Doris McFerrin; his two children, Renee Jones and Clark (Cynthia) McFerrin ; and his four grandchildren: Jordan Brooks, Julianne Brooks, Carter McFerrin, and Lauren Kerstell.
William was a hardworking, self-made man who lived a full and vibrant life– having grown up in Marshall County, MS, he worked on a tugboat on the Mississippi River from the age of 16 to pay for his education at the University of Mississippi, where he graduated in 1955 with a degree in business administration and finance. Around this time, he met his wife Doris, who he married in 1957 and with whom he shared 65 loving years of marriage as well as two children.
Early in life, William served in the Navy in Maine and the Mediterranean. Afterwards, he became a dutiful employee to General Motors for 35 years. His true passion in life, however, remained in tending to the Marshall County family farm that he grew into a successful business enterprise, McFerrin Angus, over the course of his long life. Even in old age, William enjoyed sitting in his truck and spending time on this property watching his cattle and raising his cattle-herding border collies.
His generosity touched all of those around him in his family and in the community. Those who knew him knew he was a man of honor, integrity, and grit. He was extremely intelligent, insightful, full of wit, and never afraid to speak his mind. He will be sorely missed by the Collierville and North Mississippi communities.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 12, at the Collierville Funeral Home, from 5:30-7:30PM. A memorial service will occur the following day, Friday, January 13, at the Alice Cartwright Chapel of Magnolia Cemetery, also in Collierville, where William will be laid to rest. Your thoughts and prayers are kind and appreciated.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colliervillefuneral.com for the McFerrin family.
