Daniel “Dan” Wilson Ferguson, a beloved family man, community servant, minister of music, and entrepreneur of Kenova, West Virginia, went to be with his Lord and Savior on August 14, 2026, following a brief illness.
Dan was the only child of the late Tolbert B. Ferguson and Blanche B. Frazier Ferguson of Wayne, West Virginia. He learned the value of hard work at an early age, first helping at his parents’ vegetable stand and later working during high school for the late Glenn Queen, owner of ABC Food Market and Tradewell Groceries. Dan credited Mr. Queen with teaching him many of the principles that contributed to his own success in business.
Tall and lean, Dan enjoyed playing his favorite sport as a member of the Wayne High School basketball team, traveling with his teammates throughout Wayne County. Music, however, became the defining melody of his life. He began taking piano lessons at home at age nine and soon dreamed of owning a music business. His parents, a Norfolk & Western Railway carpenter foreman and a schoolteacher, saved every penny they could to help him pursue that dream. Dan also continued working at the family vegetable stand to save for his education, determined to earn a music degree from West Virginia University in Morgantown.
At WVU, Dan joined Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and participated in many activities, including directing the annual Mother’s Day Sing. He also enjoyed watching basketball greats Jerry West and “Hot Rod” Hundley take the court. Dan credited his years in the fraternity house with teaching him valuable life lessons, and he formed many treasured friendships there. His ties to the university and its music program continued throughout his life, including service as president of the WVU School of Music Alumni Association.
During his sophomore year, Dan met the love of his life, Alice Lee Taylor of Matewan, West Virginia. After graduating, they married in 1959 and settled in Kenova, where Dan accepted a position as Minister of Music at First Baptist Church of Kenova.
At First Baptist, Dan formed the New Generation Choir, a group of approximately 250 singers. With a vision ahead of its time, he incorporated contemporary sounds into Christian music, blending elements of rock and roll with traditional worship during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Under his direction, the choir traveled across the country, performed in numerous churches and military bases, and even recorded an album in Nashville.
While serving the church during the week, Dan spent evenings and weekends selling band instruments and other musical products. That work grew into Dan Ferguson Music, which he opened in 1959. For more than 50 years, he supplied pianos, organs, and other instruments to families, churches, and schools throughout Appalachia and beyond. True to his hands-on nature, Dan normally made the deliveries himself, with help from others. Through his ministry and his business, he helped place music in countless homes, classrooms, and sanctuaries.
Dan’s commitment to the Ceredo-Kenova community extended well beyond his business. He served as president of the Ceredo-Kenova Rotary Club, the Ceredo-Kenova Chamber of Commerce, and the Ceredo-Kenova Businessmen’s Association. Dan embraced each leadership role, driven by his love for the community and his desire to see it flourish.
Dan also provided steady leadership to the region’s banking community. He served on the Board of Directors of First National Bank of Ceredo and later became president of Ceredo Bank. During his tenure, United Bank acquired Ceredo Bank, and Dan was highly involved in the acquisition. Dan then served on United Bank’s Board of Directors for decades.
To the broader community, he was the “Music Man.” To his many friends, he was “Dan the Man.” To his family, he was a faithful and devoted husband and a loving, kind, selfless, and servant-hearted father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, affectionately known as “Pops” or “Poppa.”
Dan had a special gift for making each person he met feel seen, known, and valued. If you knew him for long, he likely had an affectionate nickname for you. His family was grateful to gather with him to celebrate his 90th birthday on July 21, 2026.
Dan’s life and legacy are celebrated by his three daughters, Lee Anne Gillispie (Kevin), Mary Glenn Rice, and Malinda Johnson (Tom); four grandchildren, Lee Stonestreet (Andrew), Taylor Hiestand, Haidyn Johnson, and Cooper Daniel Johnson; two great-grandsons, Beckett Stonestreet and Benjamin Stonestreet; his brother-in-law, Bill Walter; his sister-in-law, Caroline Taylor; and many nieces and nephews.
Music filled Dan’s life, and his love for his family, friends, and community ran deep. Yet the central refrain of his life was his devotion to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Dan embodied the familiar words, “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” Through a life of faithful service, he leaves an enduring and eternal impact on his family and countless others.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Baptist Church of Kenova’s Music Ministry in Dan’s honor. The visitation will be held at First Baptist Church of Kenova on Friday, August 21, 2026, from 4-6 pm with a Celebration of Life Service to directly follow. Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova is honored to serve the Ferguson family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com
Katherine Josephine Perdue Watts, 88, of Kenova, WV, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend and child of God went to her eternal resting place on Thursday, July 30, 2026. She was a daughter of the late Clifford and Mary Louise Hutchinson Perdue and was also preceded in death by a son-in-law, Gus Hall. Katherine married her late husband, Donald R. Watts and together they raised four children, Bernie Watts, Donna Hall, Ruth (Joe) Grajo and Teresa Watts. In addition to her children she is survived by a brother, William Perdue; three sisters, Phyllis Doss, Lois (Mike) Baisden and Sally Callahan; nine special grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren. Katherine loved her family and will be greatly missed. She was the oldest member of the Route 60 Freewill Baptist Church where she worshiped her savior until her health kept her from attending. She also sang in the choir and was the leader of the Ladies Aide. Another of her favorite activities was to join her daughters finding treasures at local rummage sales. Katherine participated in the CKES Secret Santa Program helping buy gifts for children at Christmas. Visitation will be conducted from Noon to 2:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3, 2026 at Rollins Funeral Home. Funeral services will begin at 2:00 p.m. with Brother Roy Akers officiating. Burial will follow after the service, in Maple Hill Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at www.rollinsfh.com.
R. Michael Hall, age 55, of Prichard, WV passed away on 7/27/26. Mike found his greatest pride and joy in his family. His beloved wife, Missy, was the love of his life. Together, they built a family over 35 years that remained the center of his world. He was a proud father to his three children, Devan Hall (Alex), Raylen Jeffers (Will), and Tyson Hall (Haley), and a devoted Poppy to his four cherished grandchildren Braddox, Brynlee, Brooklyn, and Tate. He is also survived by his parents-in-law, Bob and Shiela Perry; and his brother- and sister-in-law, Mohamed Sadek and Maria Hafiz.
Joan Alberta Gibson, 64, of Kenova, WV passed away on Wednesday, June 3, 2026 at King’s Daughters Medical Center in Ashland, KY. She was born September 7, 1961 a daughter of the late, Mitchell and Roberta Hatten Gibson. She grew up in Kenova and was a graduate of C-K High School class of 1979. Joanie loved music and enjoyed listening to it with both her friends and family. She loved Betty Boop and had a vast collection of Betty Boop items. Most of all Joanie loved her family and spending time with them, they were the bright lights in her life. In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Steve Wilkes; her twin brother, John Gibson; a sister, Brenda Gibson Rutherford and a nephew, Mitchell Grant Gibson. Those left to cherish her life and memories include her beloved daughter, Stephanie (John Green) Wilkes, a brother, William Mitchell (Butch) Gibson and his wife, Leslie; special nieces and nephews, Kenny (Amy) Underwood, Heather (Tony) Serrano, Amanda Gibson and her husband, Michael Stamey, John (Megan) Gibson, Hannah (Blair) Gibson, Joseph Gibson and Ryan Johnson and other great nieces and nephews, an aunt and uncle, Boots & Guy Wellman, a cousin, Shelly Ferraro and two loved friends, Harley Mattox and Tonya Jones. Joanie will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Funeral services will be conducted at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, June 6, 2026 at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova with Pastor Tim Crabtree officiating. Visitation will be two hours before the service. Burial will follow in Docks Creek Cemetery. Online condolences may be expressed at 
James Williamson, 96, of Kenova, WV, passed away on May 28, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. James was born November 22, 1929, at home in Bull Creek near Crum, West Virginia, the son of Lucinda Salmons Williamson and James Williamson. James graduated from Crum High School in 1951. James married the love of his life Mary Katherine Herald Williamson on December 22, 1951. They celebrated 75 wonderful and loving years together. James especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and taking them on adventures. James worked as Vice President of the Tristate Division of United Coal Company from where he retired. James was a member of New Home United Baptist Church for many years and is currently a member of Old Friendship United Baptist. He was also a member of the Masonic Jewel Lodge No. 140 of Crum West Virginia. Remaining to cherish James’ memory are his wife Mary Katherine Herald Williamson; children, Karen Williamson Adkins (Bobby), Bobby Williamson (Connie), Kathy Williamson Crittendon (Benny); grandchildren, Leigh Ann Adkins Merritt (Roger), Steven Williamson (Jennifer), Chris Williamson (Rachael), Aimee Williamson Smith, Jessica Crittendon Helton (Jason), Jeremy Crittendon (Lindsey), Jennifer Crittendon Wood (Andy), Rebecca Adkins, Whitney Williamson (Will Richards), Shaunna Patton (Adam); great-grandchildren, Roger Merritt, Joseph Merritt, Caleb Williamson, Jacob Williamson, James Smith, Derrick Smith, Sylvia Williamson, Logan Williamson, Hudson Helton, Charlotte Helton, Isabelle Clagg, Cole Wood, Nora Wood, Lynsie Williamson, Liam Williamson, Susanna Patton and Michael Patton; great great grandchild, Jaelyn Paige Smith; and many loving nieces, and nephews; a special caregiver, Ashley Sweaney; and other family members. Preceding James in death are two sons, James Steven Williamson and Carter Ray Williamson; parents, Lucinda Salmons Williamson and James Williamson; brothers, Clifton, Roy, Walter, Cecil, Cullie; sisters, Reba Ramey and Estelle Crum. Visitation will be held on Saturday May, 30, 2026 from 11am to 1pm at Rollins Funeral Home in Kenova, West Virginia. Funeral services will begin following visitation at 1:00 pm at Rollins Funeral Home, with Elder Willis Staton and Elder Glenn Penix officiating. Interment will be in Crum, West Virginia at the Corns/Herald Cemetery on Jennies Creek. Online condolences may be expressed at rollinsfh.com.
William Michael Fielding, 65, of Huntington, WV passed away April 17, 2026 at his home. He was born October 28, 1960 a son of the late William Othel and Neva Jeanette Arnold Fielding. Mike grew up in the Ceredo Kenova area and graduated from C-K High School. He served his country in the US Navy and members of American Legion Post 93 Kenova Honor Guard will provide military rites. Mike worked many years for the US Postal Service. He loved music and enjoyed playing his guitars. He also was a coin collector and an avid Marshall fan. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by a sister, Cindie Fielding and a brother-in-law, Keith Craft. Mike is survived by his son, Shaun Fielding and his wife Nikki and their children, Kai and Wyatt; three sisters, Connie Johnson and her husband, John, Patty Muncy, and her husband Lonny and Cathie Craft; nieces and nephew, Jason, Kara and Candyce; and his much loved dog, Bandit. A memorial gathering will be held Thursday April 30, 2026 at Rollins Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. A short service will begin at 6:00 p.m. with Pastor Scott Byard officiating. Online condolences may be expressed at 