Billy Joe (BJ) Ferrell

Billy Joe Ferrell, 86, of Cary, North Carolina, passed away on Monday, February 10, 2014 after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. Billy was born in Rich Creek, Virginia, on September 4, 1927 and was the youngest child of E. C. and Chessie Inla Vass Ferrell. Billy was also preceded in death by his sisters Helen and Bernice and by his brothers E. C. Junior and Philip. Billy married Phyllis Ann Meador on June 12, 1946 and after a short stay in the Army in Texas, they spent their entire life in the Charleston/St Albans area until moving to Cary, North Carolina for the last few years. Billy spent his professional career working for Union Carbide until early retirement allowed him and Phyllis to work at the Parchment Valley Baptist Camp near Ripley, West Virginia. Billy and Phyllis had one true avocation and that was their leadership, work and worship at the First Baptist Church in St Albans. While serving in several Deacon and Trustee positions as well as Sunday School Teachers, they also served important roles in home visitations, building campaigns, Minister search committees and in various State Baptist Convention roles. While Billy had many friends from his various activities, his best friends were all connected and active in the church. Anyone involved in sports in St Albans knew Billy well from his player and coach roles in softball and baseball and you could never quite tell the difference between his baseball swing and his golf swing. Billy was one of those rare individuals who was equally proficient at Theology, Chemistry, Home Improvement and Camping. He was truly at home when he was camping at Blue Bend in Greenbrier County. You could always tell when Billy and his sons had been searching for his beloved “Eldzards” to use for fishing; the creek beds looked like a tornado had hit. Billy is survived by his beloved wife Phyllis, his two sons Charles (Brenda) and Steve (Barbara); six grandchildren Shawn (Kristen), Devon (Chris), Jason (Cynthia), Heather, Amber (Clay) and Chessie (Brad); multiple Great-Grand-Children and Great-Great-Grand-Children. Funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm Sunday, February 16, 2014 at the First Baptist Church of St. Albans, 523 2nd Street, St Albans with the Rev Joel M. Harpold officiating. Interment will be in Cunningham Memorial Park, St. Albans. Friends may call from 6 to 8 pm Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to Hubbard Hospice House West, 4605 A MacCorkle Ave. SW, South Charleston, WV 25309. You may share memories or condolences to the family at www.chapmanfuneralhomes.com Bartlett Chapman Funeral Home, family owned and operated, located at 409 Sixth Avenue, St Albans, is honored to serve the Ferrell family.

Billy Joe (BJ) Ferrell

September 4, 1927 - February 10, 2014