World War II Veteran William J. Ford, Jr. of Sherborn died on Wednesday, December 31, 2014 at the age of 93.
Bill was born and raised in Newton, Massachusetts, and served his country proudly from 1941 to 1943 as pilot of a B-24 bomber with the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group, attaining the rank of Captain in the Army Air Corps -now the US Air Force. He flew fifty missions and was a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross with one Bronze Star.
According to the 376th HBG website, "The Fifteenth Air Force of the 376th Heavy Bombardment Group, in the 18 months of its existence, operated principally from a complex of airfields in southern Italy. It destroyed all gasoline production within its range in southern Europe; knocked out all the major aircraft factories in its sphere; and destroyed 6,282 enemy aircraft in the air and on the ground."
As co-pilot, Bill was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, when only a second lieutenant, for bringing his group's aircraft home safely after it was hit numerous times, its windshield blown out, and its pilot incapacitated. He flew fifty missions, flying through heavy anti-aircraft fire, bringing his crews safely home. He was separated from the Air Force after flying his fifty missions.
Then, returning to his interrupted studies at Northeastern University was awarded his engineering degree using his wartime experience as criteria for credit in one of the oldest cooperative education programs in the country.
Bill set up an engineering office in Newtonville, Massachuseetts.
As a civil engineer and land surveyor, he was involved in surveying and developing properties for returning veterans in the western suburbs of Boston. Later, as a partner in Linnell and Co he helped develop industrial/commercial properties in Boston, Florida, and a ski resort in New Hampshire. He thrived on combining the challenges of civil engineering and commercial development activities with those of real estate.
In 1974 Bill married Rita Becker at their home in Sherborn, Massachusetts. Together, they enjoyed forty years of marriage living in their historic home. During his years in Sherborn Bill served on the Sherborn Town Traffic Safety Committee. He enjoyed photography, art, music/jazz, woodworking, computer technolgy, horseback riding, family history, competitive sailing with his friends, as navigator in many Newport to Bermuda races, and his all time love of the theater.
Rita and Bill were active members of The Wellesley Players and produced, directed, and performed together in many of their bi-annual productions in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Bill was well known in community theater and over the years 1950 to 2000 was invited to direct numerous plays and musicals for Hovey Players, Wellesley Players and other local theater groups. Bill is even mentioned in an article in "Stars and Stripes" for directing a musical review while he was stationed abroad.
He met Rita while he was casting and directing the hit musical "Auntie Mame" for The Wellesley Players...the first musical ever attempted by that group. In his next musical for The Players he cast Rita as Fanny Brice in "Funny Girl."
He was the father of Deane L. Ford now deceased, and father-in-law of Judith A. Ford of Londonderry, New Hampshire. He was the father of Halle Becker of New York City, and Barrie Becker of San Anselmo, California; and father of the late Marc Ford.
He leaves his two grandchildren Jonathan Ford and his wife Joelle Houck of Brookline, New Hampshire; and Samantha Ford and her husband Adam Brizuela of Londonderry, New Hampshire. He leaves his three grandchildren; artist, Hannah Salaverry and performer, Will Salaverry of California, children of Barrie Becker; and equestrian, Maya Henkin of New York City, child of Halle Becker and Mark Henkin. Bill loved them all dearly.
Bill was very proud of his new generation of Fords: Five great-grandchildren: athletes, Ethan Deane Ford and Owen James Ford; and his beautiful little great-granddaughter Abigail Grace Ford of Brookline, New Hampshire; and his youngest great-grandsons, Lego fans, Braeden Deane Brizuela and Jackson Adam Brizuela of Londonderry, New Hampshire.
Bill also leaves his older sister Gwen Cosman of Frisco, Texas, now approaching her 96th year.
On Sunday, January 11, 2015 relatives and friends are cordially invited to gather for a visiting hour at 10am; followed by a celebration of Bill's life at 11am at the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street, at Natick Common, Natick, Massachusetts.
Bill Ford will be buried with full military honors at the Bourne National Cemetery, Bourne, Massachusetts, in the spring.
In lieu of flowers contributions in his memory may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O.Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675.