Phillip L. Ford

Dateline: Wood River Phillip LeRoy Ford, 79, died at 12:42 p.m. Monday, July 24, 2017 at St. Luke’s Hospital from complications of pneumonia. Born May 19, 1938 in Alton, he was the son of the late Lee Alan Ford and Deliah (Shelton) Ford Sunderland. On May 25, 1962 he married the former Joan Holland. She survives. Phillip graduated from Alton High School and Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville with a degree in accounting. He was an Army veteran serving in Germany. In 1968 he was appointed Director of Finance for the City of Wood River. He held that position for 16 years. He then became bookkeeper for Lenhardt Tool and Die for 21 years, retiring in 2005. Phillip was elected President of the Illinois Municipal Finance Officers Organization. He served on the Wood River Hartford Elementary Board and the East Alton-Wood River High School Board. He was elected President of both boards. A member of St. Paul United Methodist Church, he belonged to the Wood River Moose Lodge and was a former member of the Alton-Wood River Sportsman’s Club. In addition to his wife of 55 years, he is survived by a son, Bradley Ford of Hampton, VA and his children, Alexander, Nathaniel, Katherine, and Emmaleigh, all of Hampton, VA, and a daughter, Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Whipple and her husband Lt. Colonel Jason Whipple of West Point, New York, and their daughter, Wren. He also leaves a sister, Sharon Schreiber and her husband Mike Schreiber of Alton, a brother-in-law, John Holland of East Alton, three sisters-in-law, Judy Ford of Godfrey, Delores Copley of Godfrey and Shirley Frakes of Alton, plus many nieces, nephews and cousins and friends. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his step father, Levi Sunderland and two brothers, Victor Lee Ford and John Alan Ford. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until time of memorial service at 12:00 noon Friday, July 28, 2017 at St. Paul United Methodist Church in Rosewood Heights with full military honors. Reverend Ed Weston will officiate. Burial will be private at Rose Lawn Memory Garden in Bethalto. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, 1465 S. Grand, St. Louis, MO 63104, American Kidney Fund, P.O. Box 1837, Merrifield, VA 22116 or a charity of choice. Gent Funeral Home in Alton is in charge of arrangements. Online guest book and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com

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Phillip L. Ford

May 19, 1938 - July 24, 2017