WILMINGTON — William Ferrell Shuford, M.D., 89, of Wilmington, passed away Saturday, December 14, 2024.
He was born July 18, 1935 in New Bern, NC to the late William Ferrell Shuford Sr. and Mae Reel Shuford. The next year his family moved to Clinton, NC where he was reared. He became an Eagle Scout and received Order of the Arrow, was a member of Beta Club and played football.
He attended UNC on a Graham Scholarship and was Phi Beta Kappa while also working at the Carolina Inn. Ferrell was an active member and President of Alpha Epsilon Delta, honorary pre-med society. He attended UNC medical school in 1961 and did a medical internship at Grady Memorial Hospital (Emory University) in Atlanta, GA.
Ferrell served in the US Navy attached to the Marine Corps. Following his time in service he returned to Atlanta (Grady Hospital) in 1964. During his residency he fortuitously met his one true love, Becky “Beck” in 1965 and they were married in 1966. After completing his GI fellowship in 1967, they came to Wilmington, NC where he joined Dr. Tom Marshburn, and they began Hanover Medical Specialist. Although trained in Gastroenterology, he put in the first external cardiac pacemaker at New Hanover Hospital. He was a fellow of the American College of Internal Medicine and the American College of Gastroenterology. While at NHRMC he served several terms as president of the Dept. of Medicine and medical staff.
Ferrell’s love of First Presbyterian Church was witnessed by his loyal presence at Sunday School and Church services throughout his life. He also served terms as both a Deacon and Elder.
Ferrell and Becky were avid sailors participating in offshore racing, for many years as members of WBORA (Wrightsville Beach Ocean Racing Association). Ferrell received such joy sharing his love of the water with his family and friends.
Ferrell began running in his 40’s, and qualified to run in the Boston Marathon in 1979, completing it in 3 hours and 7 minutes. He was fortunate to enjoy many more years with the local running community.
In later years, he became interested in flying radio-controlled electric model airplanes, entertaining the grandchildren with stories from the Quiet Flyers.
Ferrell is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Rebecca “Becky” Johnson Shuford; two children, son, Lindsay Ryan Shuford and daughter, Tracy Shuford Tate and her husband, Frederick Bryan Tate, DDS; sister, Betty Shuford Zeps of Madison, WI; five grandchildren, Lindsay Curran Shuford, Ryan Elizabeth Shuford, Shuford “Ford” Bryan Tate, Trevor Monroe Tate, Rebecca Kimball Tate, all of Wilmington. He is also survived by Becky’s brothers, James Donald Johnson (Sharon), William Thomas Johnson (Thelma deceased), Vivian Johnson (widow of James Lindsay Johnson) and many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.
Memorials to Dr. Shuford may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 125 S Third Street, Wilmington, NC 28401, or Dr. Robert M. Fales Hospice Pavilion at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare, 1406 Physicians Drive, Wilmington NC 28401.
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