Charles “Chopper” Ferguson of Hillsdale, MI and various other parts of the country, passed peacefully at home November 15, 2021, after a lengthy illness.
Chopper was born on January 11, 1957 to Sally Ann (Ringman) Porter and Harry Henson. He was the oldest of six children.
He married Barbara Brown in 1973 and had two children, Gretchen (Rob) Alldredge and Israel (Amanda) Ferguson. He later married Vicki Harvey and gained three sons, Calvin (Holly) Gunderson, Robert (DeDe) Williams, and Terry Williams. He was much like a father to his grandson, K. Skylor Atwell. Chopper served in the US Army and was a proud veteran and Trump supporter.
From an early age he heard the road calling his name and spent much of his life traveling the country. Though he settled at various places over the years, he always returned to his hometown of Hillsdale. From breaking horses; writing and publishing a book; owning a restaurant, pool hall, newspaper, taxi service or radio station; building homes; driving semi; a foreman in the oil fields, drummer in a band, a stone mason, an ordained minister, or a talented pool player, there was nothing he couldn’t do and do well.
He was an avid storyteller and anyone who met him came away with a smile and a bit of his life story. He never met a stranger and often gave his last dollar to help another. He was known as Uncle Chopper not only to his nieces and nephews, but to many others as well. As a father, he didn’t tell his children how to live, but showed them by living his life to the fullest. He was an amazing grandpa and loved his grandchildren beyond measure. His love was unconditional and he seldom held a grudge. He always departed with an “I love you,” and any of life’s problems were with met with, “We’ll get through it.” He will be greatly missed, but will continue to live on in every person that knew him.
Chopper is survived by his daughter Gretchen; sons Israel, Calvin, Robert, and Terry; grandsons K. Skylor Atwell, Timothie Ferguson, James Ferguson, and Austin Williams; granddaughters Rhiana Gunderson, Courtney McCarley and Ashley Williams; several great grandchildren; brothers Ken (Jackie) Hodge and Emanuel and Joseph Henson; sisters, Peggy Bills, Laura (Gerald) Collins, Colleen Ridenour, Jody Borton, and Nancy Henson. He leaves many nieces and nephews who he loved so much. He will be missed by many close friends, who to him were more like family.
“If you would be remembered, write a book worth the reading or live a life worth the writing about,” Benjamin Franklin; Chopper did both. Per his wishes, cremation will take place and a memorial gathering will be held at a later date yet to be determined.
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