William Darius "Ri" Ferris, Jr.

William Darius “Ri” Ferris, Jr., 88, passed away Friday, October 12, 2007. Although a direct descendant on both parents sides of North Florida Pioneer families, he was born in Decatur, GA on July 2, 1919, the third child of William D. Ferris and Ethel Arwyn DeLacy. After attending local public schools he graduated from the Georgia School of Technology in 1941. After a short term of employment with the Atlantic Refining Co. in Philadelphia he was ordered to active duty on August 6, 1941 with the 9th Division at Ft. Bragg, NC. After completing the Carolina Maneuvers he was transferred to the 34th Division and landed at Belfast, Ireland with the first contingent of combat troops to be sent to the European Theater. He participated with the 168th Infantry in the invasion of Algiers, N.A. along with the 39th Infantry of the 9th Division Nov. 1942. He moved with his unit to Tunisia, N.A. and after our defeat at Faid and Kasserine Passes he was promoted to Captain when his unit was reorganized. After a back injury due to an auto accident he was assigned to the Provost Marshalls Office in Tunis, N.A. He was later rotated to the States and trained draftees at Ft. McClelland, AL, Camp Howze, TX and Camp Roberts, CA. After transfer to Camp Adair, OR, he was advised that the Japanese had surrendered and he reverted to inactive duty. After several job offers he joined the Southern Bell Telephone Company’s General Engineering Dept Atlanta, GA. He was transferred to Jax, FL. After tours in Engineering, Personnel, Financial, Accounting, and Executive Departments, he took early retirement in Miami, FL in 1982. After settling in St. John’s County, he served on several citizens committees appointed by the County Commission. He was campaign treasurer for Mark Jackson’s run for County Commissioner. He served on the County Blue Ribbon Solid Waste Committee, among others. He was a “cradle” Episcopalian and joined the Episcopal Missionary Church when it formed Christ Church in St. Augustine. He served as Usher Committee Chairman, Vestry Secretary, and on the Building Committee and others in various Episcopal Churches. His memberships include the Ga Tech Alumni Association, NRA, American Legion Post No. 37, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Florida Sheriffs Association, Georgia Chapter—National Railway Historical Society, League of the South, Telephone Pioneers, Museum of Southern History, Orangedale Community Association. He was a great man that will be dearly missed by his family and many friends. He was married to the late Sara Jane Ashurst of Atlanta, GA who bore him two daughters and one son. To wit: Mary F. Cate of Nashville TN, Sarah “Sally” Frances Ferris of Jacksonville, FL, and Wm. D. Ferris III of Orange Park, FL. His second wife Elsie Genung Ferris predeceased him in 2004 and their surviving daughter is Charlotte Ferris Miller of Palatka, FL. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Christie Brooks (Andy), Sarah Cate, and David Cate (Erika); and two great-grandchildren, Dawson Cate and Rebecca Brooks. The family will receive friends in the chapel of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 16, 2007 from 6:00 until 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, 400 St. John’s Ave, Green Cove Springs, FL, on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 at 1:00 pm with Father Johnson Haygood Pace officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Old St. Nicholas Cemetery (intersection of Linden Avenue and Olive Street, Jacksonville, FL.) Memorial donations may be made to National Parkinson Foundation (800-327-4545) or to the charity of your choice. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring St, Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.