William Thomas “Bill” Ferguson, M. D., 86, of West Monroe, Louisiana, entered the gates of heaven on Monday, May 15, 2023. He was born on October 12, 1936, in Monroe, LA.Dr. Ferguson graduated from C.E. Byrd High School in Shreveport in 1955.  He attended Ouachita Parish High School and would have been in the second graduating class of West Monroe High School had his family not moved to Shreveport after his junior year.  Upon graduation from high school, he entered Baylor University with plans to pursue a life in the ministry. During his freshman year he began to pray about God’s will for his life and decided to change his major to pre-medicine. Upon graduating from Baylor in 1959, he attended LSU Medical School in New Orleans where he met the love of his life, Carol Kirby. They were married in 1963, two days after he graduated from medical school.

After an internship at Confederate Memorial Hospital in Shreveport, Dr. Ferguson joined the United States Air Force. He and Carol were stationed at Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville, Arkansas where he served as a general medical officer. He received flight surgeon training at the School of Aerospace Medicine, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX, then was transferred to Homestead AFB in Florida where he served as Flight Surgeon and Director of Aerospace Medicine. From Homestead, the Fergusons moved to Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS where Dr. Ferguson began their first surgery residency program. This was a four-year program associated with Tulane Medical School. They were transferred to Eglin AFB in Shalimar, Florida where he owed two payback years following his general surgery residency. In 1973, now a board-certified general surgeon and Lt. Colonel in the USAF, Dr. Ferguson, Carol and their 3 children, moved back to Dr. Ferguson’s hometown of West Monroe where he joined the medical practice of Surgery Associates with Drs. Bennett and Sartor and later practiced with Drs. Lolley and Zizzi. While at Eglin, Dr. Ferguson began to feel God leading him to pray with his patients. It was then that he began praying with all patients prior to surgery and later became known as the praying doctor. Throughout more than 40 years of medical practice, he prayed with over 20,000 patients prior to surgery and saw God work many miracles.

During his 40 years of private practice, Dr. Ferguson was active in his church and community but diligent in advancing his medical career. He received extensive training in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy and other surgical procedures. He was the first surgeon to perform the laparoscopic gallbladder procedure at Glenwood in 1990. He served as Chief of Staff of Glenwood Regional Medical Center in 1983 and was the first surgeon in Louisiana to perform the SAVI applicator procedure for breast cancer. Dr. Ferguson was an active member of First Baptist Church, West Monroe, where he served as a lifetime deacon. He served as a Sunday school teacher of college students, young adults, and then taught singles for over 30 years. He was a member of Ouachita Medical Society, LA State Medical Society, American Society of Breast Surgeons, served on the Boys Club Board of Directors, served on the board of directors of Vantage Health Plan. In June, 2013, Dr. Ferguson celebrated his retirement as well as his and Carol’s 50^th anniversary. Upon retirement, he wrote a book, My Journey, as a continuation of his ministry, sharing his experiences as a Christian surgeon and the importance of his faith. For the past 10 years, Dr. Ferguson continued to grow in his walk with the Lord along with his friends in his inter-denominational prayer group which continues to meet every Wednesday. He also enjoyed 7 years of Thursday morning prayer meetings with the Community Prayer Partners.

Dr. Ferguson was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Edward and Margaret Petty Ferguson; his brother, James Edward Ferguson; and brother-in-law, Steven Fred Kirby.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 59 years, Carol Kirby Ferguson; his children, Dawn Ferguson Redd (Mitch) of Sulphur, LA, Mark David Ferguson (Beth)of West Monroe, LA, and Christy Ferguson Valentine (Mark) of Sulphur, LA; his grandchildren, Will Redd (Grace), Conner Valentine (Sami), Collyn Grace Valentine, Andrew Redd, Noah Ferguson, Carson Valentine, Anna Beth Ferguson, and Caleb Ferguson; his great-grandchildren, Jack and John Redd; his sister, Jan Grezaffi; sisters-in-law, Sally Ferguson, Gloria Schilling (Albert), and Barbara Kirby; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life and ministry will be held on Thursday, May 18, 2023, at 3:00 P.M. in Feazel Chapel of First West. Officiating the services will be Pastor Michael Wood with Dr. Woods Watson conducting the committal.  Pastor Jason Ramsey will offer reflections. A reception will follow after the service with family and friends from 4:00 P.M. until 6:00 P.M. in the Grand Hallway of the Worship Center.

Memorials may be made to the Louisiana Baptist Children’s Home.

Services are under the direction and care of Kilpatrick Funeral Home of West Monroe.

Online condolence messages may be sent to the family at www.kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.

If you are unable to attend the services you may view the service at this link.

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