John William Ferris, 78, of Wilson died Aug. 7, 2012.
A service for the family will be at a later date.
He was an Army veteran and served at the Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Ala.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Patrecia Hassam Ferris; daughters, Cindy Larson of San Diego and Melanie Ferris of Bailey; son, Richard J. Ferris of Greenville; seven grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren; brother, Richard W. Ferris of Enfield, Conn.; and special pekingese, “Little Man.”