William John Ferreira's Obituary
William (Bill) John Ferreira, age 71, departed this world Monday, January 13, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family. He was the second oldest of six children born to George Martin Ferreira and Caroline Sousa Ferreira on February 6, 1948 in Pensacola, Florida. Bill was very proud to be a Vietnam Veteran. He enlisted in the Army in 1968 after spending a year at Pensacola Junior College. After his duty in Vietnam, he did a tour in Japan. He began his civilian career with the Department of the Navy at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. While working full time at the base, Bill attended the University of West Florida where he earned a Master's Degree that helped him land a position at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Dahlgren, Virginia.
After working his way up from a Personnel Management Specialist in the Human Resources Department at NSWC, he joined the Joint Warfare Analysis Command (JWAC) at Dahlgren. Bill retired from JWAC in 2003 as the Deputy Director of the Command. During his career he received numerous awards and recognition including the Navy’s Meritorious Service Award and the Navy's Superior Service Award.
Bill was an outstanding golfer and story teller. He was always quick to share the story of his first hole in one and he never tired of telling stories about his family, particularly his grandchildren. He was a self-taught computer geek, electrician and wood worker. He made some of the most beautiful, unique furniture you will ever find. He could build or fix anything. While raising his great nephew Brendan, Bill served as a band booster designing and building phenomenal props for the school. His replica of the da Vinci flying machine, which he built for the band, was displayed at the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum for several years.
Bill is survived by his loving wife, Teresa; two sons, William (Terri) and Matthew (Stephanie); stepdaughter, Dawn McDonald (Scott); and a great-nephew, Brendan Utt. He was blessed with four grandchildren, Emma, Elise, Enzo and Addison, who were the loves of his life. He is also survived by his brothers, George and John and sisters, Donna Meece (Mark), Mary Ann Prell (Bobby), and Elizabeth Wynn (George).
The family will receive visitors on Monday, January 20, 2020 from 11AM until time of Funeral Service at 12:30PM at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 37707 New Market-Turner Road, Mechanicsville, Maryland 20659. Interment at Trinity Memorial Gardens, 3221 Mattawoman-Beantown Road, Waldorf, Maryland 20601.
Memorial contributions are asked to Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center (Georgetown), 3800 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007-2113.
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