Billy Ford
Posted: September 25, 2015
William Benjamin “Billy” Ford, Jr., passed away at his residence September 24, 2015. Billy was born May 13, 1953, in Columbus, Miss., to Virginia Ford and the late William B. Ford. He grew up in Columbus and graduated from Caldwell High School in 1971. After graduation, he attended East Mississippi Community College at Scooba followed by Mississippi State University. Billy married Jan Akin on August 24, 1974, in Columbia, Tenn. They made their home in Columbus, and he graduated from Mississippi University for Women with degrees in Biology and Business Management. He worked for the Corps of Engineers on the Tombigbee Waterway Project, while also volunteering as an assistant football coach at Caldwell Junior High. It was during this time that he discovered his love for coaching and mentoring students and returned to MUW to obtain his teaching license. Billy taught for two years at Reform High School in Reform, Ala., before accepting a position at New Hope Middle School. Billy remained at NHMS until his retirement in 2013. During his time at New Hope, “Coach Ford” touched the lives of students, teachers and parents alike as a science teacher, football coach (as well as a number of other sports throughout the years), mentor and friend. Billy loved his family, fishing, football and his students, and he will forever be remembered for his kind, gentle spirit and his ability to tell a good, tall tale. Billy is survived by his wife, Jan Akin Ford; daughters Sara Parker (Adam) of Columbus and Rachel Fuller (Scottie) of Meridian; mother, Virginia Ford of Columbus; mother-in-law, Aileen Akin of Columbia, Tenn.; sister, Carol Ford Phelps (Wayne) of Starkville; brother, John Ford of Columbus; brother-in-law, Bill Akin (Sheila) of Nashville, Tenn.; grandsons, Brandon and Quinn; granddaughters, Stella Kate, Ava, Addison and Madelyn; nieces, Ginnie Cody (Derek), Laura Hoffman (Brian), Elizabeth Akin; and nephew, Will Akin (Whitney). He was preceded in death by his father, William B. Ford. Visitation will held Saturday, September 26, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at the Memorial Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, September 27, at 4 p.m. with interment to follow at Beersheba Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Adam Parker, Scottie Fuller, Bill Akin, Bobby Eiland, Billy Holliman, Grady Prevost, Wayne Phelps, and Dale Hardin. Honorary pallbearers will be Mike Smith, Will Akin, teachers and coaches of New Hope Middle School. Memorials may be made to the Columbus-Lowndes Humane Society. P. O. Box 85, 39703.
