William Ford, Sr.

$1.35 B

Ranked #1270 in World

About William Ford, Sr.

William Clay Ford Sr., born in Detroit on March 14, 1925, to Edsel Ford and Eleanor Lowthian Clay, was a prominent figure in the automotive industry and sports management. A Yale University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Economics, Ford Sr. served in the U.S. Navy Air Corps during World War II before embarking on a distinguished career at Ford Motor Company. He significantly contributed to the design and release of the Continental Mark II in 1955 and held various key positions, including chairman of the Design Committee for over three decades and a board member for 57 years. Ford Sr., who married Martha Parke Firestone in 1947 and fathered four children, also owned the Detroit Lions, demonstrating his influence beyond the automotive sector. He passed away from pneumonia on March 9, 2014, leaving behind a legacy as Ford Motor Company's largest single shareholder.

Born

March 14, 1925 in Detroit, Michigan, U.S.

Died

March 09, 2014 (aged 88)

Source Of Wealth

Ford Motor Co

Industries

Manufacturing

Citizenship

United States

Education

Bachelor of Arts / Science, Yale University

Spouse

Martha Firestone Ford (Married: 1947)

Children

Martha, Sheila, William Jr., Elizabeth

Parent

Edsel Ford, Eleanor Lowthian Clay

William Clay Ford Sr. was born on March 14, 1925, in Detroit, Michigan, to Edsel Ford and Eleanor Lowthian Clay. He was the grandson of Henry Ford, the founder of Ford Motor Company. Ford Sr. attended the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut and graduated in 1943. He then went on to study at Yale University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics in 1949.

William Ford, Sr.: Family

William Clay Ford Sr. married Martha Parke Firestone in 1947. They had four children together: Martha Parke Morse, Sheila Firestone Ford Hamp, William Clay Ford Jr., and Elizabeth Hudson Ford Kontulis.

William Ford, Sr.: Career Highlights

Ford Sr. began his career at Ford Motor Company, where he worked in various positions. He briefly led the Continental Division and is credited with redesigning the Lincoln Continental and releasing the Continental Mark II in 1955. Ford Sr. was also appointed to Ford Motor Company's board of directors in 1948 and served as chairman of the board at the Henry Ford Museum from 1951 to 1983.

In addition to his work at Ford Motor Company, Ford Sr. was also involved in the sports industry. He became a minority owner and team president of the Detroit Lions in 1961 and acquired total control of the franchise in 1963. He was also the chairman of the short-lived Detroit Cougars (1967-1968) professional soccer team.

Ford Sr. also served as chairman of Ford Motor Company's Design Committee for 32 years (1957-1989) and was on the board of directors for 57 years, retiring in 2005. He was the largest single shareholder of Ford Motor Company, owning 6.7 million shares of Class B stock and 26.3 million common shares.

William Ford, Sr.: Companies

Ford Sr. was involved with the following companies:

Ford Motor Company
Continental Division
Detroit Lions
Detroit Cougars

William Ford, Sr.: Major Achievements

Some of Ford Sr.'s major achievements include:

Redesigned the Lincoln Continental and released the Continental Mark II in 1955.

Served as chairman of the board at the Henry Ford Museum from 1951 to 1983.
Minority owner and team president of the Detroit Lions since 1961, acquired total control of the franchise in 1963.
Chairman of the short-lived Detroit Cougars (1967-1968) professional soccer team.
Ford Motor Company's Design Committee chairman for 32 years (1957-1989).
On the board of directors for 57 years, retired in 2005.
Largest single shareholder of Ford Motor Company, owning 6.7 million shares of Class B stock and 26.3 million common shares.

William Ford, Sr.: Awards & Achievements

Ford Sr. received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions to the automotive industry and sports. Some of his notable awards include:

Automotive Hall of Fame inductee (1993)
Michigan Sports Hall of Fame inductee (1994)
Ellis Island Medal of Honor recipient (1996)
Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient (2013)

William Ford, Sr.: Personal Life & Legacy

Ford Sr. was known for his philanthropy and support of various charitable organizations. He was also an avid collector of American art and antiques. Ford Sr. passed away on March 9, 2014, at his home in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan, at the age of 88.

William Ford, Sr.: Trivia

Ford Sr. was a licensed pilot and enjoyed flying his own plane.
He was a close friend of former U.S. President Gerald Ford, who was not related to the Ford family.
Ford Sr. was a fan of the Detroit Tigers baseball team and often attended their games.
He was a supporter of the Republican Party and was involved in political fundraising.

Wealth History

Timeline

March 14, 1925

William Clay Ford Sr. is born in Detroit to Edsel Ford and Eleanor Lowthian Clay.

1943

Graduates from Hotchkiss School.

1949

Graduates from Yale University with a Bachelor of Science in Economics.

1947

Marries Martha Parke Firestone.

1948

Appointed to Ford Motor Company's board of directors.

1951

Becomes chairman of the board at the Henry Ford Museum.

1955

Redesigns the Lincoln Continental and releases the Continental Mark II.

1957

Becomes chairman of Ford Motor Company's Design Committee.

1961

Becomes minority owner and team president of the Detroit Lions.

1963

Acquires total control of the Detroit Lions franchise.

1967

Becomes chairman of the short-lived Detroit Cougars professional soccer team.

1983

Retires as chairman of the board at the Henry Ford Museum.

1989

Retires as chairman of Ford Motor Company's Design Committee.

2005

Retires from Ford Motor Company's board of directors.

March 9, 2014

Dies of pneumonia at his home in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan.

William Ford, Sr. : FAQs

What is William Ford, Sr.'s net worth?

As of 2014, William Ford, Sr.'s net worth was $1.35 billion.

What are William Ford, Sr.'s main sources of wealth?

William Ford, Sr.'s main source of income comes from Ford Motor Co.

In which industry does William Ford, Sr. primarily operate?

William Ford, Sr. is primarily involved in the Manufacturing industry.

What is William Ford, Sr. educational background?

William Ford, Sr. holds a Bachelor of Arts / Science from Yale University.

Is William Ford, Sr. dead?

Yes, William Ford, Sr. died on March 09, 2014 (aged 88).

How many children does William Ford, Sr. have?

William Ford, Sr. has 4 children.

Who was William Clay Ford Sr. and what is his significance in the automotive industry?

William Clay Ford Sr. was a prominent figure in the automotive industry, known for his work with Ford Motor Company. He led the Continental Division, redesigned the Lincoln Continental, and released the Continental Mark II in 1955. As a key member of Ford's board of directors and its Design Committee chairman for 32 years, his contributions significantly shaped the company's direction and design philosophy.

How did William Clay Ford Sr. contribute to professional sports?

William Clay Ford Sr. made significant contributions to professional sports as the minority owner and team president of the Detroit Lions since 1961, acquiring total control of the franchise in 1963. He was also the chairman of the short-lived Detroit Cougars professional soccer team from 1967 to 1968, showcasing his passion and involvement in sports beyond the automotive industry.

Can you detail William Clay Ford Sr.'s family life and legacy?

William Clay Ford Sr. married Martha Parke Firestone in 1947 and had four children: Martha Parke Morse, Sheila Firestone Ford Hamp, William Clay Ford Jr., and Elizabeth Hudson Ford Kontulis. His family life reflects a blend of two major American industrial families, Ford and Firestone, and his legacy continues through his children's involvement in various sectors.

What were the circumstances surrounding William Clay Ford Sr.'s death?

William Clay Ford Sr. passed away due to pneumonia on March 9, 2014, at his home in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. His death marked the end of an era for both the Ford family and the automotive industry, where he had been a significant figure for decades.