Page 9 - 1991 Plymouth Rotary Annual Report

Bill Ferman was born in Detroit in 192 8. He attended Northwestern
High School and got his Varsity letter as a member of the swim team
which won the city championship three years in a row.
Bill did his undergraduate work at Hillsdale College where he met the
love of his life, Ora Lee Ebersole. His graduate work was done in
Chicago at Northern Illinois College of Optometry. He graduated in
1951 and then married his college sweetheart. He served as
Captain in the USAF Reserve as an Optometrist.
Almost 4 o years ago, Bill opened his practice in Detroit - -moving it
to Plymouth in the 7 O's. It is a family optometric practice with older
son Greg also an optometr ist. Young son Ted is a dispensing optician
and daughter Sue, when not teaching, is at the computer. Lee is his
right hand gal.
Bill was active in the Boy Scouts as a leader for seven years. His
son Ted attained Life Scout and Greg attained Eagle Scout. Bill was
made an honorary Girl Scout, selling cookies with his daughter, Sue,
in the local super markets. Now that the children have grown up, Bill
enjoys spending time with his five grandchildren.
Bill was an officer in the Berkley Masonic Lodge for 11 years, being
Worshipful Master in 196 8. He served as 3rd degree captain for the
next 1 0 years and for 2 2 years has participated in the installation
of officers. He is also a member or the Scottish Rite and Shrine. As
a member of the Elks, he has enjoyed working as a bus boy and
cook for dinners and fish fries .
. Optometry is Bill's first love (after Lee). He is a past president of
the Wayne County Society of Optometrists, Metropolitan Detroit
Op t ometric Society and Michigan Optometric Association. Bill has
been honored by his peers in optometry with a Key Man award from
the State Association.
When Bill joined Rotary, he became a member of the Youth Exchange
Committee and has served on it f or 9 years, 4 years as Chairman.
Last summer Bill and Lee traveled to the west coast and back as
chaperones for 1 3 5 foreign exchange students. Here he truly
learned the meaning of "Service above Self". Serving on the
Bar -B -Que Committee for 6 years, Bill is the current chairman. This
will be the 8th year Bill has served on the Plymouth Hospitality Room
Committee at District Conference, and the third year he has been
chairman. Both Bill and Lee are Paul Harris Fellows.

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