Billy Ford

Billy Gene Ford, 88, of Cape Girardeau died Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2019, at Missouri Veterans Home.

He was born Nov. 22, 1930, in Whitewater to Ernest and Mary Catherine Summers Ford. He and Ruth Ann Ford were married May 5, 1956, in Cape Girardeau.

He was a graduate of Cape Girardeau Central High School.

He honorably served his country in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953, including time in Korea. He was discharged as sergeant and awarded the Korean Service Medal, three bronze service stars and the United Nations service medal.

He was a member of Operating Engineers Local No. 513. He was a board member for 18 years and chairman for four years at Cape Girardeau Senior Center. He was a trustee on Stroderville Cemetery board for many years.

He was very active in his church as a member and deacon of Lynwood Baptist Church. He was a great Christian man who set "The Bar High" for everyone who he came in contact with. He was loving, kind, generous and serving. He loved the Lord and his family with all of his heart.

Survivors include his wife, Ruth Ann Ford of Cape Girardeau; daughter, Deborah (Jim) Matthews of Jackson; son, Randy (Stacey Storey) Ford of Cape Girardeau; daughter-in-law, Sharon Ford of Cape Girardeau; brother, Jim Ford of Jackson; grandchildren, Aaron Zook, Jennie (Mike) Buck, Ryan (Hillary) Matthews, Katie (Tyler) Lorberg, Erica (Brian) Anderson, Heather (Jason) Porter, Tara Ford, Whitney (Justin) Snider and Natasha Storey-Ford; and great-grandchildren, David, Connor, Cole, Austin, Alexa, Ryder, Cooper, Brynlie, Tyler, Brooke, Jack, Maverick, Lanie, Renn, Elizabeth, Logan, Lucas, Gavin and Aiyana.

He was preceded in death by his parents; stepmother, Tessie Ford; son, David Ford; sister, Maxine Mansker; and brothers, Ralph, Glenn, Robert, and George Ford and Robert Sommers.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday at Lynwood Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral will follow at noon Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Mark Anderson officiating. Burial will be at Stroderville Cemetery in Whitewater.

Memorial contributions may be given to Missouri Veterans Home.

Online condolences may be sent at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.