William Thomas Ford, 72, of Ida, peacefully passed away in his home on January 4, 2023 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Bill was born May 23, 1950 in Monroe. He was the son of Edward James Ford and Mildred Cecilia Lajiness-Darby. He married Gail Ann Cox June 17, 1993.
Bill was a 1968 graduate of Monroe High School. He was a lifetime member of Monroe Jaycees and a member of Floral City Modal A Club and Fraternal Order of Police. He enjoyed community service and raising money for various organizations around Monroe.
For 35 years, Bill was employed as a Millwright through Ford Motor Company. After retiring from the skilled trades industry, he was a devoted Papa, enjoying every moment spent with his family. He enjoyed restoring classic cars and working on home improvement projects. He was an avid hunter and especially enjoyed spending time at his cabin with family.
Bill is survived by his children, William (Shelia) Ford of LaSalle, Daniel (Teresa) Ford of Eau Claire, Jennifer Parkhurst of Monroe, Brian (Annie) Ford of Monroe and Jeff Ford of Monroe; two step children, Patricia "Trish" (Jason) Spaulding of Dundee and Robert (Wendy) Smith of Petersburg; ten siblings, Joyce Treadway of Reed City, Patricia (Tip) Florian of Monroe, Janet (Greg) Adair of Alger Michigan, Linda (Mike) Veiner of Monroe, Jake Henderson of Monroe, John Ford of Maybee, Nora (Jeff) Raymo of Maybee, Mary (Perry) Gallina of Crossville, Tennessee, Shelly Minton of Monroe, and Julie Ford of Tennessee; twenty eight grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bill is preceded in death by his father, mother, spouse, and his son Steven Ford.
Family and friends may visit from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6th at Bacarella Funeral Home where services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 7th. Rev. Brenda Jackson of Stewart Road Church of God will officiate followed by burial at Roselawn Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to ProMedica Hospice or Monroe Cancer Center.
Online condolences and special memories may be shared with the family by visiting the obituary page at www.bacarellafuneralhome.com .