He was born on Feb. 2, 1926, in Sarasota, and was a lifelong resident of Polk County.

He was a horticulture teacher at Traviss Vocational Technical until he retired in 1996. He was a member of St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Auburndale; a veteran of World War II and Korea, serving in the Army Air Force; a member of American Legion Post 8, Winter Haven; a volunteer fireman and retired as chief of the Winter Haven Fire Department in 1972; charter member of Polk County Sheriff's Auxiliary, he served as commander from 1976 to 1978; past state president of Horticultural Spraymans Association from 1962 to 1963; former member of Winter Haven Rotary Club, he was president of North Winter Haven Rotary Club from 1983 to 1984; he was the charter scoutmaster of Troop 555 of the Boy Scouts of America at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Winter Haven; past assistant district commissioner in the Order of the Arrow and Scouters Key; active in Girl Scouts; active in Sheriff's Department Explorer Post.

He was on the Board of Directors at Polk Training Center for Handicapped Citizens in Lake Alfred; established Ferguson Nursery and Landscaping in 1958 and operated that business for 27 years; began teaching at Ridge Vo-Tech in 1985 then became an instructor at Traviss in 1986. He was also certified to teach the Basic Security Officers Class at Traviss Vo-Tech; graduated Winter Haven High School in 1943; attended Polk Community College, Florida Southern College, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida.

Survivors include his wife, Iris Ferguson of Winter Haven; two sons, Walter E. Ferguson III of Parchment, Mich., and John R. Ferguson of Dumfries, Va.; a daughter, Julia Gardner of Charlotte, N.C.; a stepson, Jay R. Hill of Winter Haven; a stepdaughter, Venetia Giger of Polk City; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday at Oak Ridge Funeral Care. The service will be immediately after at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Rolling Hills Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice at 105 Arneson Ave., Auburndale, FL 33823 or the Pantry Shelf Ministry at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Auburndale.

Condolences may be sent via www.oakridgefuneralcare.com.