Oliver Wendell Ferguson, Sr.

Former Abilene resident, Oliver Wendell Ferguson Sr., passed away in McKinney, Texas on October 7th, 2016. He was born on April 17th, 1922 in Winters, Texas. His parents were William Henry Ferguson and Billie Ray Bailey Ferguson. Moving to Abilene in 1936, he and his family found a new “hometown.” After finishing Abilene High School in 1939 and a two year course in Gail College of Business Efficiency, he accepted a job with S&Q Clothiers as bookkeeper. A year later he received a Civil Service assignment to the San Antonio Quartermaster Depot and remained there until being assigned to a cadre to activate the new Fort Worth Quartermaster Depot.

He began active duty in the U.S. Army in June of 1943. After basic training, he completed Officer Training School at Ft. Lee Virginia. After serving two years of “sea duty” transporting troops and supplies to major ports of Great Britain, North Africa, and Naples, Italy, he was assigned to the New York Port of Embarkation as Officer of Subsistence for the European Theatre. He was discharged as a Captain in June of 1946.

He worked for the National Cash Register Company in Fort Worth, Texas for approximately two years until he was asked to serve on the staff of the Development Program to help make Abilene Christian College an accredited university. This required several years to increase the endowment and make other major improvements specified by the accrediting agency. He then headed the two campuses of Houston Christian Schools, later consolidated into one campus and a full 12 grade high school.

After serving in the Christian education field, he accepted the job as leasing agent for three major buildings in Dallas all located in Exchange Park on Harry Hines Blvd. The Exchange Bank building, Frito Lay building, and Braniff Airways building were all connected by a large retail mall. He held this position for four and ½ years.

His last position was as Operations Manager for the San Antonio Branch of Stewart and Stevenson (a General Motors, AC and Delco Dealership) for five years until retirement. After retiring, he returned to Abilene and headed the World Bible School of 24,000 students in 12 countries for 10 years. This was with the Oldham Lane Church of Christ and kept 80 or more people busy each week.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Mary Irene Naylor Ferguson, and a daughter, Mary Elizabeth Ferguson Pricer. He is survived by four children, Oliver Wendell Ferguson Jr., James Richard Ferguson, Rebecca Jeane Ferguson Weyandt, and David Christopher Ferguson; 15 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

He will be laid to rest on Friday, October 14th, 2016 at the Elliott Hamil Garden of Memories, following a graveside service for family and friends at 2:00 p.m. Arrangements are being handled by Piersall Funeral Directors.  Condolences mat be offered to the family online at www.pbfuneraldirectors.com .