William Ferroll Creager

Long time Chestertown, MD resident William Ferrol Creager (Bill) passed away July 6, 2021, just as his beloved garden was in full bloom. Bill was born in Ranger, Texas on December 9, 1940 to the town’s banker, Willis Ferrol Creager, and his wife, Othel Creager. The youngest of the three children, Bill grew up riding horses and water skiing in local lakes narrowly missing the dead trees, much to his mother’s hysteria. Guided by his mother, he developed his love of cooking, his eye for antiques, his ear for playing piano music and his passion for painting. Bill graduated from Ranger High School in 1958 and entered the University of Texas at Austin. After earning his degree, he served in the US Army and was stationed in Washington D.C. He then settled in D.C. and began his real estate business known as Houses on the Hill. Through the years, Bill bought, renovated and sold historic three-story row houses on the Hill with some featured in local newspapers. Recognized for his design choices, he used bold colored walls to showcase his curated collection of beautiful antiques—nods to his southern roots. Bill continued his long real estate career as an appraiser in Chestertown, MD where his son Will was raised. His house, a historic home on the Chester River, included a belvedere, an iconic detail he enjoyed pointing out to guests when giving home tours. For many years he hosted a luncheon at his home during the Chestertown Tea Party Festival. Bill’s chicken spaghetti was a huge hit as well as his recipe for a mean bloody mary! We will miss our unique, sharply dressed uncle who played duets on the piano with all four sets of little girl hands. He brought life, light, wine and brightly colored tissue paper wrapped gifts from MOMA into our lives and our family’s Christmases past. His best advice, “Every good room has green in it, and a touch of red.” Bill is preceded in death by his parents; sisters: Melba Creager Daves, Lanita Creager Williamson and his cherished son, William Ward. He is survived by former wife, Ann Creager Keane; former wife and Will’s mother, Mary Lee Martelli; step children Eleanore Armani and Andrew Armani and his four nieces: Marsha Daves Otterstedt, Amy Williamson Wilcox, Alice Williamson Anderson and Carol Williamson Green. Lastly, to our Uncle Bill, “Thank you for being ours.”

William Ferroll Creager

December 9, 1940 - July 6, 2021