William "Bill" Richard Ford

William Bill “Dicky” Richard Ford 

On the morning of February 4, 2021, Bill passed away as a result of Leukemia and a reaction to the chemotherapy.  Bill was 77 years old, and passed away surrounded by his immediate family.  Bill was born August 9, 1943 in Jacksonville, Fl.  He was the first son of William and Mildred Ford.  Bill was raised together with his brothers Norman and Henry. Over the years they spent much of their free time fishing together. Bill graduated with the class of 1960 from Andrew Jackson High. Shortly after he joined the United States Air Force, and spent the next few years serving his country. During his service, Bill met the love of his life, his “Sparkle”, Joanne. They soon married on October 23, 1965. Together they built their first home from the ground up. Bill worked for many years at Jacksonville Electric Authority, in charge of Station Engineering. After many faithful years, he retired as the supervisor over J.E.A.’s Kennedy Generating. After a few years together, Bill and Joanne welcomed their beloved son Tommy into their lives. Bill enjoyed bodysurfing and playing music together with his son. He was always supportive of Tommy, from baseball, which Bill coached for a few years, to music. Bill and Joanne spent much of their free time gardening. While Joanne raised their beautiful plants, Bill cultivated many delicious crops over the years.  Once their son was grown, Bill and Joanne took in their granddaughter, Destiny, and raised her to adulthood. When she was 4, Bill and Joanne took Destiny around the US. They visited many key sites, such as the Grand Canyon and Mount Rushmore.  Bill was just as supportive of his granddaughter s he was his son, and showed Destiny the wonderous magic of Disney, as well as the beauty of science. There was not one Science Fair nor Karate lesson that Bill missed.  In 2006 Bill, Joanne and Destiny moved to their beautiful new home in Tennessee designed personally by Bill. Over the years, Bill supported his wife faithfully through her illnesses. From doctor visits to caring for her at home, Bill never left Joanne’s side.  Bill and Joanne spent 55 wonderful years together. He spent his last years with his beloved “Sparkle”, supporting her through thick and thin. He will be greatly missed by family and friends. Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Mildred Ford; and Henry Ford. Bill is survived by Norman and Kandy Ford, Joanne Ford, Tommy and Trish Ford, Sherry Lynn Creel, Alexis Taylor, Shelby Taylor, and Destiny Ford.  Flowers may be sent to Resthaven Memorial Gardens. The Ford family would like any donations sent to Saint Jude Childrens Hospital.

Receiving of Friends and visitation will be at Monday, February 8, 2021 from 1:00pm - 2:00pm with funeral service beginning at 2:00pm at Resthaven Memorial Gardens Chapel Mausoleum.  Family and friends may sign the online register and post condolences at www.resthavenmemorialgardens.com

Services provided by: Resthaven Funeral Home-Cemetery-Cremations

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