FERGUSON, William Edward

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, AZ Friday, June 10, 2011 William Edward Ferguson, 86, of Flagstaff, died June 6, 2011. He was born Dec. 12, 1924, in Holbrook, to William E. and Lula Ferguson. He married Betty on Aug. 16, 1946. He studied in Holbrook and then studied physics and trigonometry in Napa, Calif. He applied and was accepted at Cal-Tech in Pasadena, Calif. Further studies were put on hold by the local draft board. He was assigned to the Army Corp. of Engineers. He volunteered to join the U.S. Air Force, which needed crew members, and served as a radio gunner on a B-24. Taking advantage of the G.I. Bill, he achieved his bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering at the University of Arizona. Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson then went to Pittsburgh, Calif., where he started as a mechanical testing engineer at the U.S. Steel Corp. This was followed as materials and process engineer at Lockheed in Burbank, Calif., and then metallurgist at U.S. Naval Ordinance in Chins Lake, Calif. Most of his career was spent in nuclear energy utilizing the methods of metallography. He was on the staff at Los Alamos scientific laboratory in New Mexico for 10 years. He moved to Richland, Wash., for 25 years, then retired from Siemens Nuclear in 1990 and returned to Arizona. They were wonderful years with many fascinating projects and the opportunity for cherished friendships. Also, his career gave him the chance to pursue a lifelong interest in photography in many wonderful and varied places in our beautiful American West. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty Ferguson; daughter Bonnie Griffin (Ronald); three grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and many good friends. A funeral service will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Holbrook. Interment will follow in the Holbrook Cemetery. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.norvelowensmortuary.com. Norvel Owens Mortuary is handling arrangements.