Venice, FL-William Hammond Farrell, 87, of Venice, FL and Forest Hill, WV, died Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013 in Venice.
He was born to Mildred Schillat Farrell and William Hammond Farrell Sr. on Jan. 30, 1926, a wintry day in Montclair, NJ.
He attended local schools and graduated from Montclair High School in 1943. He was an active Boy Scout in Troop 19, and his picture was used on the cover of “Boy’s Life Magazine” when he was 15. He entered Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL in the summer of 1943. In January 1944, he enlisted in the US Navy, and after his ship was commissioned he served as its radio operator in the South Pacific and Japan. “Bill” returned to Wheaton College in the fall of 1946, and majored in history and political science. There he met Joyce Ferrell, a similar last name; and they were seated together alphabetically in certain classes. Joyce was his wife-to-be, and his goal became to teach history. They were married one week after graduation in 1949. He had been married to Margaret Joyce Farrell for 64-1/2 years.
Bill taught school in a one-room schoolhouse at Ellison Ridge, near Hinton, in 1950-51. He later studied at Clark University in Worchester, MA and was awarded a Masters Degree in History and International Relations in 1953. He worked briefly for the Social Security Administration in Clarksburg. Returning to Montclair, he joined his father in the printing business at the Schillat-Farrell Press in Newark, NJ. He saw the business progress from hand set type into computer automation. He printed for many religious organizations, schools, colleges, insurance companies, banks and other customers. He eventually sold the business and worked as consultant before retiring. Retirement years were spent between the farm in West Virginia and Florida.
He grew up a Presbyterian, belonged to Grace Presbyterian Church in Montclair, and was an elder and trustee of the church. He taught Sunday School and was an advisor to the youth groups. He enjoyed services at both of the churches at Forest Hill and at Old Stone Church, in Lewisburg. He became an affiliate member of Venice Presbyterian Church, Venice, FL. He and Joyce found Venice by boat through friends from Montclair, NJ who bought one of Jetty Villas. Soon after, he and Joyce acquired their townhouse in Osprey and lived there in the winter months before moving full time to Village On The isle in Venice. He loved doing crossword puzzles, sail-boating, the Jersey Shore and the farm in West Virginia. He was a hard worker who loved his family.
Now experiencing the Wonders of Heaven, he leaves behind: his wife, Margaret Joyce; sister, Mildred Elizabeth, Lancaster, PA; brother, Robert Frederick, Osprey, FL; three sons, John William of Hinton, Peter Wayne (Mary Jo) of Burnt Hills, NY and Bruce Andrew (Barbara) of Fort Collins, CO; five grandchildren, Rachel, Caleb, Luke, Leah and Ryan; and two great-grandchildren, Wesley Peter and Paivi Elizabeth.
Viewing with services following were held at Fairview Baptist Church, Forest Hill, on Saturday, Dec. 28, with interment in the church cemetery. A memorial service will be scheduled later in Venice, FL.
In lieu of flowers it is requested that a donation be made to Tidewell Hospice, Venice, FL, or the Fairview Baptist Church at Forest Hill, WV.
Please send online condolences and sign the guest register at www.pivontfuneralhome.com.
Arrangements by Pivont Funeral Home, Hinton.