Raymond H. Ford

Raymond Howard Ford, 91, of Butler, Pennsylvania, passed away on January 20, 2022. Ray was born on January 5, 1931, in the Lawrenceville neighborhood of Pittsburgh. He was preceded in death by parents Henrietta Barnes and James W. Ford, brother James Mason Ford, and sister Frieda Ford Hamilton. Survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Roberta Lee (Williams) Ford. Ray and Bobbie met in 1945 when they were sophomores at Peabody High School. They married on January 27, 1951, at Chatham College Chapel, took the bus to Bedford Springs for their honeymoon, and remained in love from that day on, always signing cards to one another "All My Love, All My Life." Also survived by children Jennifer, Glenn (Laura), and Rebecca (Dean) Ridgeway; grandchildren Adam (Kelly Thomas), Sarah (Evan), Ford-Richards, Jacob (Zoie Diana), and Madelyn; and great-granddaughter Charlotte Grace. Ray was a devoted husband, dear father, and beloved Grandpapa/Pap and great Grandpapa. Ray was a fourth-generation Pittsburgh steel man, starting work as a draftsman at Heppenstall Lawrenceville and retiring from Triten Steel after a long career selling equipment and coatings to steel mills across the region. Ray recently celebrated 70 years as a member of the Freemasons. He read voraciously, loved American history, and was a proud member of the Mayflower Society, Pilgrim John Howland Society, and Sons of the American Revolution, for which he was a chapter genealogist for many years. Ray also headed the Peabody Jocks (POJOC) Club until quite recently. Vintage cars were a passion. Whenever he arrived home and asked his wife Bobbie how much she loved him, the family knew he'd bought or traded for another old car. With son Glenn and grandson Adam, he restored countless Corvettes, with the occasional Studebaker Avanti or Buick Rivera for variety. Ray and Bobbie always filled their home with dogs, many of which needed a new lease on life, love, and occasionally some leftovers from the dinner table. So, these long-departed-but-still-missed Boxers, Labs, Great Danes, GSPs, Old English Sheepdogs, Pekingese, and one very large Mastiff/Dane mix have all been patiently waiting to see him again. His passion for cooking, restoring cars, genealogy, and charitable causes were all ways in which he displayed his profound love in caring for his family. We hold each memory we have of him close. We love him dearly, and he will be tremendously missed. Known as a warm-hearted, generous man and good friend, Ray Ford will be sorely missed by those he leaves behind. Ray was always quick to ask, "What can I do to help?" In that spirit, in lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Services will be private. Zoom link will be available at 2:30pm. Service will be at 3:00pm. https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83402996507?pwd=R0czRjlIMlZTMWpiSGE2SXEvUHZCQT09 Meeting ID: 834 0299 6507 Passcode: Ray

Raymond H. Ford

January 5, 1931 - January 20, 2022