Bernard "B.W." Ferguson

Bernard Woody ("B.W.") Ferguson passed away peacefully at his home in Fines Creek on Thursday, October 27, 2022, at the age of 84.

He was born in Haywood County on July 7, 1938 to parents Paul William Ferguson and Manella Woody Ferguson.

Mr. Ferguson graduated from Fines Creek High School in 1956 and, due to his sincere love of animals, went on to study Agriculture-Animal Husbandry at North Carolina State University in Raleigh. While at NC State, Mr. Ferguson was in the Farmhouse Fraternity and a slew of other agricultural organizations yet remained involved in his family’s farm in Fines Creek by sending letters to his mother giving her advice and instructions on how to proceed with farming in his absence. Mr. Ferguson graduated in 1960 and served in the United States Army and was later called to serve in the Berlin Crisis, hitchhiking his way to report for duty at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.

Mr. Ferguson led a full and active life. He began his career in agriculture working for Southern States in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, as part of their manager trainee program. He later began what would result in a 47-year career with Massey Ferguson and its successor, AGCO Corporation. He started with Massey Ferguson in collections, and with the last name of “Ferguson” and a fear that the company had sent an owner of the company, he was successful in recovering accounts due. He worked the majority of his career as a successful territory manager for Massey Ferguson/AGCO, covering, at various times, territories including Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia. He retired in 2008 from the farm equipment business and devoted his life to his true calling of farming and raising cattle, thereby passing on his knowledge and life’s passion to his sons and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Brenda J. Ferguson, and two sons, Michael Ferguson (Beverly) of Clyde, NC, and Justin Ferguson (Heather) of Knoxville, TN; four grandchildren, Andrew Ferguson (Kim) of Clyde, NC, and Mary Lloyd, Vivianne, and Emeline Ferguson of Knoxville, TN; and one great-grandson, Odin Ferguson of Clyde, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Barbara Ferguson Ensley.

He was an active member of the Fines Creek community, serving for several years on the Board of Directors of the Fines Creek Volunteer Fire Department, and Fines Creek Memorial Baptist Church.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 30th, at Wells Funeral Home in Waynesville from 2:00-4:00 p.m. The funeral will be held at Fines Creek Memorial Baptist Church on Monday, October 31st, at 11:00 a.m. with interment at the Fines Creek Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Andrew Ferguson, Bobby Forbes, Steve Parkins, Randy Parkins, Clinton Parkins, Jimmy Rogers, David Duckett, and Randy Deese.

The family extends a sincere and deep appreciation for the devoted caregivers who cared for Mr. Ferguson at his home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Fines Creek Memorial Baptist Church Cemetery Fund or the chapter of Farmhouse Fraternity at NC State University.

The care of Mr. Ferguson has been entrusted to Wells Funeral Home of Waynesville.