The Lake County times., 1922-12-01
v. R. FOR[)'S
END COMES
THURSDAY
Popular Man Prominent in
COP. Politics and
Masonic Circles

The symbols and drums OF orak
shrine are stiIed. The rollicking
songs Of Kiwanis cease. The
plumed knights OF the Masonic
commandery stand solemnIy at the
bier Of a departed brother
Willis R. Ford is dead and a city
s in mourning.
Not Of wealth or power. great
deeds or accomplishments do they
talk but Of = man in the common
walk Of life who was a patriot
Caristian. a citizen and q neighbor.
DIES IN HOSPITAL
He diad while sleeping at St.
Margaret's hospital at $50 o'clock
yesterday morning surrounded by
his family. 1t was Thanksgiving
morning and the city was gay and
festive but the word Of his death
brought sorrow into countless
homes.
In the heart Of every man who
knew him there was a feeling OF
personal loss mingled with the true
realization Of the worth of the
man.
News Of his death plunged mas
onry into mourning. The hearts Of
the members Of the Kiwanis club
We're heavy. The republican party
mourns. over on the east side OF
town the members of the East Side
Improvement association felt tne
blow. Directors Of the Chamber Of
Commerce who could buy and sell
him financially hundred times
felt in their hearts that perhaps the
city could have more easily spared
from their organiza tion a man Of
more wealth and power.
a STERLING CHARACTER
They realized that Willis Ford
because of his sterling character.
unselfishness. sincere civic pride
and devotion to the Chamber OF
Commerce was one Of the most val
liable members
MoURNED BY ALL
Rich and poor alike are grieving
today Mayor Brown could think OF
little else. He was the kind OF q
on the street put It.
He was a man without an enemy
and it is doubtful whether there
was man in the city with a great
er number of friends. In whatever
organization hs worked. the East
Side Improvement association. the
Kiwanis club, the Chamber of
Commerce. the Republican party or
Masonry. # was always the same
He was enthusiastic, earnest and
devoted.
IN FAILING HEALTH
While the death OF Mr.. Ford was
a great shock to the public at large
Il was not altogether unexpected 10
relatives and close friends. He had
been In falling health for some
time and became III at kiwanis
club luncheon two weeks ago. He
was removed to St 1Iargaret's hos
pital Wednesday from his home in
1886 Forrest avenue. The illness
was apoplaxy.
BORN IN MICHIGAN
Willis Ford was born. July s.
1874, in Musk egon. Mich. His faith
er. Edwin Ford. was in the grocery
business and after graduating from
the public schools the son worked
in his fathers store. On the tenth
of May 1892. Willis Ford and Lottie
Manning were married in Muskegon
and came to Chicago where Mr..
Ford conducted a grocery in Hyde
Park until 1902 when he took up his
residence in Hammond. engaging in
the wholesale butter and egg bust
ness. He was successful in busi-
ness and while not a wealthy man
was in comfortable circumstances.
Mr.. Ford IS survived by Mrs. Ford.
their three children. Mrs. J. A
Armstrong. Mrs Joseph n Bauer
and Edwin r. Ford. and sister.
May L Ford OF Muskegon.
MENTIONED FOR MAYORALTY
For nearly twenty years he was
precinct committeeman for the
r publican party In Hammond. and
at one time was talked Of for may
or. He was the moving spirit OF
the Citizens party which elected
Dan Brown. mayor, and much OF
the success of that political move
ment can be credited to Mr.. Ford
personal popularity He was one
OF tn organizers and president OF
the East Side Improvement associa-
tion and played no small part IN
putting through the improvements
on Calumet avenue. such as the wi
dening and paving Of the street.
HIGH IN MASONRY
IN the Masonic order he was past
grand master Of the Garfield lodge.
past high priest OF the Royal Arch
Masons. past master Of the P. & 6.
Masons. past commander OF the
knights Templar. and at the time
Of his daath assistant Rabban OF
Orak Shrine. He was a member OF
the Scottish Rite at Fort Wayne and
the Eastern Star.
He was active both IN the Cham
Der Of Commerce and the Kiwanis
club 1t was on his suggestion that
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