What is Will Ferdy?
{{Infobox person | name = Will Ferdy | image = Will Ferdy.jpg | caption = Ferdy in 2013 | birth_name = Werner Ferdinande | birth_date = {{Birth date|1927|3|9|df=y}} | birth_place = [[Ghent]], Belgium | death_date = {{death date and age|2022|11|8|1927|3|9|df=y}} | death_place = [[Antwerp]], Belgium | monuments = | residence = | nationality = Belgian | occupation = singer | known_for = | relatives = | awards = }} '''Werner Ferdinande''' known as '''Will Ferdy''' (9 March 1927 – 8 November 2022) was a Belgian singer. He became known with the songs ''Christine'', ''Belijdenis'', ''De stervende'', ''{{ill|Ziede gij me gere|nl|Ziede gij me gere (Will Ferdy)}}'' en ''{{ill|Het Schrijverke|nl|Het Schrijverke (lied)}}'', based on the poet {{ill|Het Schrijverke|nl|Het Schrijverke (gedicht)}} with the same name of [[Guido Gezelle]]. He was an figurehead within the gay community, because he was the first Flemish singer to come out.<ref name=ref1>{{cite web|url=https://www.hln.be/bv/will-ferdy-overleden-op-95-jarige-leeftijd-eerste-bekende-vlaming-die-zich-outte-als-homoseksueel~aa144071/ |title=Will Ferdy overleden op 95-jarige leeftijd, eerste bekende Vlaming die zich outte als homoseksueel|work=[[Het Laatste Nieuws]]|date=8 November 2022|access-date=8 November 2022|language=nl}}</ref><ref name=ref2>{{cite web|url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20221108_93934010 |title=Zanger Will Ferdy overleden op 95-jarige leeftijd|work=Nieuwsblad|date=8 November 2022|access-date=8 November 2022|language=nl}}</ref> He received the [[Gay Krant]] award in 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gva.be/cnt/oid417388 |title=Gay Krant-onderscheiding voor Will Ferdy|work=Gazet van Antwerpen|date=28 August 2006|access-date=28 August 2006|language=nl}}</ref> Ferdy had [[parkinson's disease]]. He died in Antwerp on 8 November 2022, at the age of 95.<ref name=ref1 /><ref name=ref2 /> ==References== {{Reflist}} {{Authority control}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Ferdy, Will}} [[Category:Belgian singers]] [[Category:1927 births]] [[Category:2022 deaths