In Memory Of
W. Sewall Macferran
1924
2015
W. Sewall Macferran
August 25, 1924 — August 14, 2015
William Sewall Macferran passed away on August 14, 2015 at his home surrounded by family.
He was born August 25, 1924, in Topeka to William Jr. and Helen Estey Macferran. He attended Topeka public schools and graduated from Kansas University in 1948 from the Business School. While at KU, he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, holding the offices of Treasurer and President.
Sewall was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where he was an ordained elder, served as Clerk of the Session, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Church Treasurer. During World War II, Sewall was the navigator of a B-17 crew that was shot down over Germany. He was a prisoner of war for 10 months.
In 1954, he married Frances Ann Welch; they had one son, Fran Macferran. He later married Doris Jean Sheahan in 1969; she died March 28, 2011. He was also predeceased by his parents, his brother Rev. Hervey Macferran (2011), his sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn (2007) and Sam (2009) Brick, his niece, Sarah Brick Archer (2012), and his nephew, John Brick (2001).
Sewall was in the banking business for 40 years before retiring as President of First State Bank and Trust Company in Topeka. In the community, he was active in Downtown Topeka, the Kansas Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, and a former member of the Lions Club. He served on the Advisory Board of the Topeka Presbyterian Manor and worked with their Good Samaritan Golf tournament for many years. He was a director and President of the Kansas Homestead Rehabilitation Corporation, and was recently elected Chairman of the Board.
Left behind to cherish his memory are his children: Fran Macferran, Houston, TX; Bill (Marsha) Sheahan, Topeka; Tom (Janet) Sheahan, Montgomery, TX; Kathy (Ted) Clark, Topeka; Barb (Ron) Hinton, Olympia, WA; Martha (Tom) Cofran, Westminster, CO; Jenny Burghart (Chris Weekley); 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Jean Macferran, Aurora, CO; and many nieces and nephews.
Sewall always looked for the positive in every person and every situation. He never let a task go until it was completed and he had learned from it—like the ice skating rink he built in the back yard for family and friends. He was a very devoted husband, dad, and friend to all.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave. in Topeka.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19 at First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison St. in Topeka. Burial with military honors will follow at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Ave. in Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle Topeka, KS 66606 or to the organization of the donor's choice.
To share a special memory of Sewall or to leave a message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
He was born August 25, 1924, in Topeka to William Jr. and Helen Estey Macferran. He attended Topeka public schools and graduated from Kansas University in 1948 from the Business School. While at KU, he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, holding the offices of Treasurer and President.
Sewall was an active member of First Presbyterian Church where he was an ordained elder, served as Clerk of the Session, Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Church Treasurer. During World War II, Sewall was the navigator of a B-17 crew that was shot down over Germany. He was a prisoner of war for 10 months.
In 1954, he married Frances Ann Welch; they had one son, Fran Macferran. He later married Doris Jean Sheahan in 1969; she died March 28, 2011. He was also predeceased by his parents, his brother Rev. Hervey Macferran (2011), his sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn (2007) and Sam (2009) Brick, his niece, Sarah Brick Archer (2012), and his nephew, John Brick (2001).
Sewall was in the banking business for 40 years before retiring as President of First State Bank and Trust Company in Topeka. In the community, he was active in Downtown Topeka, the Kansas Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, and a former member of the Lions Club. He served on the Advisory Board of the Topeka Presbyterian Manor and worked with their Good Samaritan Golf tournament for many years. He was a director and President of the Kansas Homestead Rehabilitation Corporation, and was recently elected Chairman of the Board.
Left behind to cherish his memory are his children: Fran Macferran, Houston, TX; Bill (Marsha) Sheahan, Topeka; Tom (Janet) Sheahan, Montgomery, TX; Kathy (Ted) Clark, Topeka; Barb (Ron) Hinton, Olympia, WA; Martha (Tom) Cofran, Westminster, CO; Jenny Burghart (Chris Weekley); 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Jean Macferran, Aurora, CO; and many nieces and nephews.
Sewall always looked for the positive in every person and every situation. He never let a task go until it was completed and he had learned from it—like the ice skating rink he built in the back yard for family and friends. He was a very devoted husband, dad, and friend to all.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at the Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th Ave. in Topeka.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 19 at First Presbyterian Church, 817 SW Harrison St. in Topeka. Burial with military honors will follow at Penwell-Gabel Cemetery, 3616 SW 6th Ave. in Topeka.
Memorial contributions may be made to Midland Care, 200 SW Frazier Circle Topeka, KS 66606 or to the organization of the donor's choice.
To share a special memory of Sewall or to leave a message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of W. Sewall Macferran, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Tuesday, August 18, 2015
5:00 - 7:00 pm (Central time)
Penwell-Gabel - Mid-Town Chapel
Guestbook
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