Walter Stewart "Stew" Ferrier was born in West Chester and was a 1950 graduate of West Chester High School. He served 4 years in the navy and was honorably discharged in 1954. After his discharge from the navy, he attended Penn State, graduating in 1958, and continued to be a proud Penn State fan throughout the years.

Stew retired from the West Chester Area School District in 1986, where he served as athletic director at East High School from 1974 to 1986. Prior to his position as athletic director, Stew taught health and physical education at Stetson Middle School and Henderson High School. He later taught drivers education at East High School.

As a PIAA official for 36 years, he had been actively involved in football, wrestling, baseball and girls softball, and added volleyball to his list. Stew was also involved in community sports.

He was an avid golfer, a long-standing member at Penn Oaks Golf Club and enjoyed his yearly golf visits to Myrtle Beach, SC. Stew enjoyed helping his daughters at Arianna's Cafe’.