Billy E. Ford

Mr. Billy E. Ford, age 85, passed away on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, at Tennova Volunteer Hospital in Martin.

Funeral Service will be Saturday, December 17, 2016, 11:00 A.M. at First Baptist Church in Martin with Dr. Mike Sams and Rev. David Brown officiating. Burial will follow in Gardner Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, December 16, 2016, from 4:00 P.M. - 7:00 P.M. at First Baptist Church, or after 9:00 A.M. on Saturday until funeral time.

Pallbearers will be Mark Ford, Mike Ford, Maury Ford, Rick Wilson, Jr., Paul Ryne Wilson, Matthew Ford, Andy Ford, Richard Boyte, Marcus Ford, Sammy Beverly, Michael Ford, Mike Davis, Tyler Davis, Lee Wilson and Luke Wilson.

Mr. Ford was preceded in death by his wife, Alma Phillips Ford; his parents, Carlos Ford and Ruby Harris Ford, his sister, Helen Dean Waggener; one infant grandson, Billy Edward Ford.

Mr. Ford retired from the U.S. Army as Command Sgt. Major after serving his country for 28 years. He served in Korea and in Vietnam. Billy and Alma together worked as residence managers at the Governor's Executive Residence under Governor Ned Ray McWherter's administration and remained in that position for Governor Don Sundquist's administration. Billy was a member of First Baptist Church in Martin.

He is survived by his sons, Mark (Marcia) Ford of Paris, TN, Mike (Anne) Ford of Martin and Maury (Julie)Ford of Knoxville; his daughters, Donna Wilson and Kay Wright both of Martin; 12 grandchildren, Rick (Brandi) Wilson, Paul Ryne Wilson, Jennifer (Mike) Davis, Marcus Ford, Andy Ford, Madison, Reilley and James Michael Ford, II, Matthew, Anna, Elizabeth and Kate Ford; six great-grandchildren; his niece and great-nephew, Paula and Sammy (Meleana) Beverly of Martin.

Memorials to First Baptist Church Building Fund or Martha Ministries at First Baptist Church.