William (Bill) Hugh Ferguson

William Hugh Ferguson, known as Bill, of La Crosse, WI, passed away on September 13, 2024, at the age of 95. Born on May 25, 1929, in Huntington, WV, he was the son of Martha Thayer Ferguson and William Theodore Ferguson.

Bill's educational journey took him through Culver Military Academy and Cornell University, where he earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in engineering. His professional career began at General Motors, but he is perhaps best remembered for his long tenure at the Trane Company, where he worked for 39 years.

Bill served as a First Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. In 1953, he married DorothyAnn Marshall of Huntington, WV, his beloved partner for over 70 years. The couple settled in La Crosse, where Bill became deeply involved in his community.

A member of the First Presbyterian Church, Bill's community engagement extended to numerous organizations. He was actively involved with the La Crosse Country Club, the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Board, the Hixon Forest Nature Center Board, Friends of the Library Board, the Six-100 Investment Club, and the La Crosse County Advisory Board for the Elderly. His contributions included developing the Hixon Forest Trails and the Kids Coulee playground.

Bill was a passionate lover of life and adventure. He cherished family trips, including canoeing and skiing expeditions across northern Wisconsin, Michigan, and western states. He encouraged his sons to embrace physical activities and enjoyed a wide range of sports and hobbies, including tennis, golf, skiing (downhill, cross-country and waterskiing), rollerblading, swimming, sailing, biking, canoeing, hiking, and playing bridge. Bill and DorothyAnn spent decades enjoying tennis and golf with friends at the La Crosse Country Club.

In addition to his athletic pursuits, Bill explored his artistic side by drawing historic steamships and paddle-wheelers from the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers.

Bill faced a diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in the early 2000s with remarkable courage. He received exemplary care at Gundersen Medical Center and participated in a Johns Hopkins experimental immunotherapy trial, contributing to advancements in medical research. His indomitable spirit allowed him to enjoy nearly 20 more years of a fulfilled life.

Bill is survived by his wife DorothyAnn, their three sons—William Marshall Ferguson (Phuong Huynh Ferguson), James Theodore Ferguson (Linda Allison), and Bruce Thayer Ferguson (Beatrice Chan Ferguson)—and four grandchildren: Ian, Andrew, Gina, and Blake, all of California. He is also remembered by his cousin Sylvia Ghainer of Michigan.

Family and friends are invited to a funeral service held at the First Presbyterian Church at 233 West Ave South in La Crosse on Saturday, September 28 at 4:30pm, with visitation beginning at 3:30pm. Following the service, a reception will begin at 6pm at the Myrick Park Main Shelter.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Gundersen Medical Foundation, the La Crosse Public Library, or the First Presbyterian Church of La Crosse.