William F. Ford, 81, of Monroe passed away at home among family on Friday evening April 7, 2023.
Born April 22, 1941, in Middlesboro, KY, he was the son of Roy and Laura (Rowlett) Ford. He married Wanda M. Edwards on March 12, 1960 at Evergreen Acres Missionary Baptist Church. Bill attended Monroe Public Schools and served four years in the Marine Corps. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton, California, Japan (Okinawa), and the Philippines. For seven years, he worked at Monroe Steel Castings and then for Ford Motor Company's Monroe plant for 30 years, retiring in 1999. He was a member of Local 723, United Auto Workers.
In his younger years, Bill enjoyed softball, bowling and fishing. In his retirement years, he enjoyed golfing, woodworking, and watching the Detroit Tigers. He was a member of several Masonic organizations: Monroe Lodge 27, Free and Accepted Masons; Monroe Commandry No. 19; Southern York Rite College No. 19; River Raisin Council No. 4, and River Raisin Council No. 22. For over 15 years, Bill held the position of Treasurer for the Monroe Masonic Lodge and other bodies of the Monroe Lodge. He was awarded the "Order of the Purple Cross" from the York Rite Sovereign College of North America at the national assembly in Tampa FL. Also, Andy Beshar, Governor of Kentucky, recognized Bill as an honorary Kentucky Colonel.
Bill was a member of Monroe Missionary Baptist Church where he served as an usher and on the security team.
Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years, Wanda; two sons, Eugene (Debra) Ford of Grand Rapids and Roy (Debra) Ford of Monroe; a daughter Tina (Robert) Henes of Kingsford, MI; eight grandchildren: Jessica (Jacob) Moore, Brandon Ford, Cassidy (Jaxson) Ferree, Kyle Henes, Jacob (Mikayla) Henes, Nicholas Ford, Nathaniel Henes, and Donovan Ford; three brothers: Paul (Diane) Ford, Ronald (Paula) Ford, and Donald (Jean) Ford, all of Monroe.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Norma LaPointe and Carolyn Sue Fletcher; and a grandson, Dillon Henes.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday from 3 – 8 pm at Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, Michigan, 48161, where a Masonic Service will be held that evening at 7:00 pm. Funeral services celebrating Bill's life will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2023 at 11:00 am also at Bacarella Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park.
Memorial donations are suggested to Shriners Hospitals for Children.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .