In Memory

William Ford - Class Of 1965

William Ford



 
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11/17/14 02:56 AM #1    

Carolyn Coats (Medendorp)

William D. Ford, 64, renaissance man: Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice

Lewisboro Ledger, The (NY) - Thursday, September 15, 2011

Deceased Name: William D. Ford, 64, renaissance man

William D. Ford, a longtime Goldens Bridge resident, died Sept. 8 in Danbury Hospital after a brief illness. He was 64. Mr. Ford was born on Aug. 22, 1947, in Chicago, Ill., the son of Dr. William and Jane Ford. He grew up in Dwight, Ill., where the family moved in 1952. In the early 1960s, the family moved to Saginaw, Mich., where Mr. Ford attained the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated from Arthur Hill High School in 1965. He attended the State University of New York at Fredonia, earning a degree in English and theater in 1970. He lived briefly in California and Manhattan before a 30-year career as an English teacher in Yonkers schools. He also taught English and computer science at Sound view Prep from 2003 to 2005. For many years, Mr. Ford headed a tutoring and college preparatory enterprise that guided countless students in improving their minds and grades, and gaining entrance to college. He was a born teacher and graced the lives of many students. His family said Mr. Ford was a true renaissance man; an opera expert, scholar and gifted writer - his favorite poet was W.B. Yeats (whose home he visited with family on a trip to Ireland). He sparkled as an actor in the title role of the Fredonia Drama Department production of Henry VIII and the ancient Greek drama Menaechmi by Plautus, according to his family. His computer expertise was instrumental in his private and public school teaching. He was a scholar in many areas of study. He had "a curiosity about everything and remembered everything that he heard," said his brother, Dr. Brian Ford of Spirit Lake, Iowa. Mr. Ford was a longtime student of Buddhism, which led to his ordination as a Dharma teacher and working with many students and congregations. He was fondly remembered in tears and smiling at a gathering of family and friends at the Ford residence in Goldens Bridge on Sept. 10, and at a memorial service on Sept. 11 at the Chuang Yen Monastery in Carmel. Many spoke of Mr. Ford's compassion, heroism and touching effects upon their lives. In addition to his brother, Mr. Ford is survived by his wife, Linn Brown; daughter Katherine; granddaughter Hailey; and sisters Barbara Ford of Providence, R.I., and Ann Ford Tyson of Tallahassee, Fla. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17 at 11, at Unitarian-Universalist Community of Northern Westchester County on Route 172 in Mount Kisco. Donations may be made to The Tibetan Nuns Project; 619 Western Avenue; Seattle, WA 98104

11/17/14 07:35 AM #2    

Marlene Melcher

I knew who

Bill was but didn't really know him... I wish I had.  WOW... what an amazing man.  The world has lost a gem.  RIP Bill.  Marlene


11/18/14 12:57 PM #3    

John H. Nordstrom

Bill was my neighbor, and I knew his family and him well.  He was a bright fellow.  His father, an M.D., was Chief of Staff at the V.A. Hospital on Weiss street.  His mother was also a very bright person, an accomplished artist, and a very kind soul.  While Bill and I did not hang out in the same circles, we were friends, and he was a good guy.  Sad that he has passed.


11/22/14 10:32 AM #4    

LLoyd Crane Anderson

I did some acting with Bill in high school. He was a natural! Completely relaxed, had a great stage presence and wonderful sense of humor.


11/23/14 04:22 PM #5    

Susan Trier (Hanson)

Even though my children and my granddaughter find it hard to believe, I, too, was in a couple of plays with Bill (and at least one with Lloyd).  Bill was a natural leader even then and a very good guy.


11/24/14 11:31 AM #6    

Robert (Bob) Hogg

I was reasonably good friends with Bill in high school as well, although I wasn't in any plays with him.

Of course, we lost touch after school, but then a few years ago we reconnected on Facebook. I don't remember the details, but at any rate, we had a good exchange for some time.

Then one day I got a notification of a new post on Bill's wall, and when I went there, there was a photo of a small table with a vase of flowers and a picture frame with a photo of Bill in it. I knew that couldn't be good.

It seems that his yard took quite a beating from Hurricane Irene at the end of August, and he was out cleaning up when he was stricken.

Bill was a very bright guy and was a good friend.


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