William “Bill” Ewart Ferro, 83, of Houston, passed away on July 14, 2023, surrounded by his wife of 57 years, Ursula, his daughter Vanessa, and grandson John.
Bill was a self-made immigrant born and raised in Panama, where he attended Balboa High School. He moved to the United States through The Good Neighbor Scholarship to Texas A&M University in 1959 to pursue a degree in engineering but found his niche in architecture. He graduated in 1965.
Bill took to being in Texas, as it always felt like it was where he belonged, and claimed Texas A&M University was like a mother to him, as it raised him to be the success he was. In January 1964, Governor John Connally commissioned him an Honorary Texas Citizen. While attending college, he met his wife, Ursula, and would be married until his death.
Bill began his career in 1965 with Candill, Rowlett, & Scott and served as project architect, project manager, and later vice president of the Health Care Division, where he would work until 1974. Bill moved to Bernard Johnson, Inc., where in his 16 years with the company rose from chief architect to senior vice president, then to president, where he would be responsible for quality of services, internal operations management, and marketing direction for Houston, Dallas, and Bethesda, Maryland.
Bill and James Saylors founded Ferro-Saylors, Inc. in 1990 and was named to “The Houston 100,” a list of private businesses making the most significant impact on Houston, in both 1996 and 1997. In 2000, he sold his established and successful company to Huitt-Zollars and stayed on as a consultant for a few years.
Some of Ferro-Saylor’s biggest jobs included The Harris County Flood Control Project and The White Oak Bayou Improvement for Harris County Flood Control.
Bill retired shortly after he sold his company, where he would spend his remaining years traveling the world with Ursula and spending time at their second home in the Texas Hill Country. Bill loved grandfathering his three grandchildren, John, Madison, and Payton. Bill created the family he always desired as a child; it was very important to him to have his family around for holidays and birthdays.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Amelia Corondo Ferro, and his father William E. Ferro, II. He is survived by his German-born wife, Ursula Ferro, his daughter Vanessa Ferro Brady (Keith Brady), and his three grandchildren, John Edward Kuehne, Madison Alicia Brady, and Payton Amelia Brady, and his Goldendoodle, Fideo Ferro.
Bill’s favorite hobbies included golfing, fishing, cruising, and fine dining. He spent many early Sunday mornings on golf courses in the Houston area. He achieved a Hole in One at Falcon Point Country Club on the 13th hole. He played in, sponsored, and placed in many tournaments. If Bill wasn’t golfing, he was wading out of Matagorda Bay for trout and redfish.
In December of 2010, while fishing in Matagorda Bay, he caught, of all things, an Atlantic Croaker weighing in at 3.6 pounds and 19.75 inches long. He received a Big Fish Award from Texas Parks & Wildlife.
Bill always loved to finish the days and weekends with a gourmet cocktail and hearty meal.
Bill’s impact on those close to him in both professional and personal relationships will be greatly missed. His ability to command a room with a witty comment, a personal anecdote, or his bright smile will stay in our hearts forever.
At the request of the deceased, a Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In place of flowers, please consider donating to your favorite charity.
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