Obituary for Francis “Walt” Ford Jr. Francis G. “Walt” Ford Jr., 87, of Grand Island passed from this life on Wednesday, May 23, 2018. Memorial service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday at All Faiths Funeral Home. A gathering of family and friends will be from 9:00 until service time.
Burial of ashes will be in Grand Island City Cemetery with military honors provided by the U.S. Army and the United Veterans Honor Guard. Walt was born June 16, 1930 in Philadelphia, PA, to Francis G. Ford Sr. and Martha (Walther) Ford. The family lived in Scobeyville, NJ, and Walt received his education at Rumson Day School in New Jersey and graduated from St. Paul’s High School.
He then attended Princeton for three years prior to enlisting in the United States Army on March 4, 1952. He served during the Korean War in the 1st Division, 26th Regiment, Easy Company and was honorably discharged March of 1954. Following his discharge, he completed his college, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.
Walt’s spirit of adventure in his younger years prompted him to travel to Cuba prior to the communist revolution in 1959 as well as opening a business venture in Colorado. Walt had worked in a wide range of professions from bond trading on Wall Street to farming in Minnesota. Walt was united in marriage to Eleanor Elizabeth Sombric on April 20, 1963.
Following their marriage, the couple lived in Denver, CO, before relocating to Grand Island in 1975. Walt will be remembered for the value he had for learning, his love of gardening, fishing, his care for animals and his honesty. He did his best in all that he endeavored.
Those left to cherish Walt’s memory include his sons and daughters-in-law, Stephen and Ginny Ford of Covina, CA and Richard and Renee Ford of Franklin, TN and two grandsons, David Ford and Michael Ford. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Eleanor; and sister, Jane Hosack. Memorials are suggested to Samaritan’s Purse.
To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Francis “Walt” Ford Jr. please visit our Sympathy Store. Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 MAY 26. 09:00 AM – 10:00 AM All Faiths Funeral Home 2929 S Locust St Grand Island, NE, US, 68801 allfaiths@giallfaiths.com www.
giallfaiths.com/ Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before Francis’ Visitation begins. Celebration of Life 2018 MAY 26. 10:00 AM All Faiths Funeral Home 2929 S Locust St Grand Island, NE, US, 68801 allfaiths@giallfaiths.com www.
giallfaiths.com/ Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life Service Guaranteed delivery before Francis’ Celebration of Life Service begins.
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