Obituaries
George W. Ferrell
Friday, 23 March 2012
George William Ferrell, 92, former Belton City Manager, died March 10 in a Temple nursing home. Funeral services were March 12 at the First United Methodist Church in Belton with the Rev. Darren Walker officiating. Burial was in the Salado Cemetery at Salado.
Mr. Ferrell was born March 21, 1919 in Garza, Denton County to Seabourn Pierce Ferrell and Maude Beatrice Hodges, the youngest of six children. He grew up in the Prairie Dell and Salado communities and graduated from Salado High School in 1937. He was active in all sports and was the highest ranked boy graduate. He entered the Civilian Conservation Corps and played baseball for Bartlett in the Central Texas League.
He was in the first draft from Bell County in World War II and served from February 1941 until August 1942 as a non-commissioned officer reaching the rank of first sergeant in the Army Air Force. In October 1942 he was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the Army Air Force after completing Officer Candidate School. He transferred to the reserves in January 1946 with the rank of captain. Medals received include North American Ribbon, Pre-Pearl Harbor Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Rifle Sharpshooter and Pistol Marksman.
After leaving active duty Mr. Ferrell served as vice-president of Williams, Inc. in Peoria, Ill., and later served as district manager with Whirlpool Co. and vice-president of Shetland Co. in Peoria, Ill.
He married Helen Pearl Wheeler at West Bluff Christian Church in Peoria in 1947. The family moved to Bell County in 1960, living in Belton.
He became city finance officer and served as city manager from 1964-81. He was a member of the First Methodist Church in Belton for over 50 years and was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 65 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, four brothers and one sister. He is survived by two daughters, Cheryl Grimm of Houston and Dianne Ferrell of Belton, a son, Wesley Ferrell and wife, Joy, of Little River, six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Donations may be made to the Salado Cemetery Association, P.O. Box 21, Salado TX 76571 or the First United Methodist Church 201 E. 3rd Ave., Belton TX 76513.
Dossman Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.
