Willie F Ford

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.”  Psalm 23:1-3

Sgt. Willie Franklin Ford was born in Marion County on December 8, 1942, to the late Reverend Chancelor and Bettie S. Ford. He was reared in the Cherry Grove Community of Cerro Gordo, North Carolina. Sgt. Ford departed this life on Tuesday, July 25, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was preceded in death by his sister Margaret S. Pringle and his brothers Richard L. Ford and infant James Benning Ford.

 Willie joined the Olive Grove Baptist Church, Cherry Grove Community, NC at an early age, and attended several churches in his adult life. After graduating from West Side High School, Chadbourn, NC in 1961, Wille joined the U.S. Army along with his lifelong buddy, Joseph Edge. Sgt. Ford served over twenty-five years in the US Army and received many accommodations and medals. He was married to the late Verria Walker Ford for over twenty years and with this union, Willie was blessed with two bonus children, Keith, and Lisa. He and his family traveled extensively during his military career and after three tours of Vietnam and other service-related jobs they settled in Spring Lake, NC for many years until their return to Mullins, SC. Willie was a friendly person, he would make conversations with anybody. He had a keen sense of humor and would keep us all laughing. Many will remember how he loved watching the news on CNN.

Memories of him will be cherished by his children, Keith Walker of California and Lisa Walker of Fayetteville NC, Sheila and Sharon Ford of Sumter SC. Five grandsons, David (Angela) Johnson, Zackery (Zoia) Johnson, Christopher Johnson, Loren Singletary, and Joshua Walker, two granddaughters, Jessica Walker, and Tiffany Ford. One great granddaughter, Resilient Walker. His nieces Jean S. Brunson of Mullins, SC, and Regina (Norman) Floyd of Mullins, SC, who were his devoted caregivers, several other nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends from Mullins, Fair Bluff, Spring Lake, and the Fort Bragg surrounding area. McLeod Hospice staff (Morgan, Lakeisha, Betty, and Latonya).

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