William Arthur Ford III

Entering mortality on the 6th day of June 1938 in Miles City, Montana, William Arthur Ford III was the second of his parent's two offspring. He entered the work force at the tender age of 12 and had several part time jobs until e graduated from Custer County High School just before his 19th birthday in 1957. It was during this time, at the age of 16, that Bill was in a life-threatening single vehicle accident that left his vehicle totally destroyed and him with several serious injuries. After high school Bill enlisted in the United States Navy and began his service just two months after his high school graduation.

He honorably served. mostly in the Pacific and the Orient, during peacetime. After nearly four years of service Bill was honorably discharged from the Navy and reentered civilian life. Gloria June Hansen and William Arthur Ford III were married in October of 1959. By the time Bill had finished his military career, and reentered the civilian work force, the couple had two daughters.

For the next two plus years he had various jobs. One of his favorites was a dark room technician for a photo studio. During that time Gloria and Bill welcomed a third daughter to their growing family. In October of 1963 he landed a job as a mail carrier, one he would keep for over seven years until a leg issue forced him to take a different career path as an air traffic controller. Bill remained an air traffic controller until he retired after 29 years on the job at various locations in the Southland.

It was during this time that Gloria and Bill welcomed a son to their family. Lives changed and in February of 1968 the couple's marriage ended in divorce just before the birth of their fifth child, a little girl.

Sometime after the divorce was finalized Bill attended a single parent support group meeting that changed his life. It was there that the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen walked in..."his Angel". In March of 1969 Florence Nadine Evans Young and William Arthur Ford III were married The couple's marriage would last for more than 49 years until Nadine's passing from mortality in April of 2018. Just after her passing, Bill reactivated himself in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and became actively engaged in Church activities. Within the appropriate time, Bill returned to the Temple and he was sealed with his sweetheart for time and all eternity.

Bill and Nadine moved to the Antelope Valley in 1972 and would remain there the remainder of their earthly days. They enjoyed traveling and the nine ocean cruises they went on. They raised Nadine's two sons and simply enjoyed life together. Once they had both retired, they enjoyed genealogy research and were actively involved in the local genealogy society.

After his retirement as an air traffic controller in 1999 bill kept busy. For many years he served as a volunteer for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department. In this position he worked the many fairs and festivals which take place in the Antelope Valley. Up to his last years, Bill had been assigned to work overnight security at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds. He filled this position until his health dictated otherwise.

Just within the past year Bill's health, and mobility, necessitated him being moved to an assisted living facility. After attending Church on Sunday 5/12, the next day in the midafternoon he was rushed to the Emergency Room where he left mortality just after midnight on the 14th of May 2024.

William Arthur Ford III's life definitely left a mark for generations to come. During his life he fathered four daughters (Debbie, Deanna, Doreen, & Rose), one son (William Arthur Ford IV), and had two stepsons (Kevin & Keith Young). Then there are 22 grand children and 32 great grandchildren, along with eight step grandchildren, 15 step great grandchildren and 5 step great great grandchildren.

His sweetheart and son, along with countless other family and friends, surely provided a nice welcoming committee on the other side.