Ben W. Ferrell

Ben W. Ferrell January 25, 1917 – July 30, 2010 Ben W. Ferrell, 93, of Waco went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, July 30, 2010. A graveside service will be 9:30 a.m., Monday, August 2, in Oakwood Cemetery with Reverend Charles Packard officiating. Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Sunday, August 1, at Wilkirson Hatch Bailey. Mr. Ferrell was born January 25, 1917, in Humble, Texas, to Ben A. Ferrell and Alma Banks Ferrell. He grew up in the Houston area and graduated from high school in Shreveport, Louisiana. After a few years with the US Army Corps of Engineers building roads in Kuwait, he joined the Army and served in the European theatre during World War II. Upon his return to the States in 1946, he married Marie Melton in Wichita Falls, Texas. He had a 41-year career with the US Dept. of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, in Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, and finally as area director in Waco from 1962 until retiring in 1980. While in Waco he has been an active member of the Waco Rotary Club, especially the scholarship committee, Waco Scottish Rite, Karem Shriners, Order of the Eastern Star, National Association of Federal Retired Employees, SCORE, and Central Presbyterian Church. His lifelong hobbies included photography, woodworking, world travel, and following current events. He was preceded in death by his wife Marie of 56 years; his parents; a sister, Jeannette French; and a brother, Charles Ferrell. Mr. Ferrell is survived by his daughter, Suzi Ickles and husband, Don, of Lorena; and son, Steve Ferrell of Rockwall, Texas, and nephew, Vincent Taylor French of California. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Waco Rotary Club Scholarship Fund, Box 5618, Waco 78708, or your preferred charity. The family extends many thanks for the loving care provided by Ridgecrest Retirement Center and Bluebonnet Hospice. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.WilkirsonHatchBailey.com.