Background
Ford was born in Detroit and attended Henry Ford Trade School, Melvindale High School, Nebraska State Teachers College, and Wayne State University.
Ford was born in Detroit and attended Henry Ford Trade School, Melvindale High School, Nebraska State Teachers College, and Wayne State University.
Student, Nebraska Teachers College, Peru, 1946. Student, Wayne State University, 1948. Bachelor of Science, University Denver, 1949.
Bachelor of Laws, University Denver, 1951. Doctor of Humane Letters, Westfield State College, 1970. Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Eastern Michigan University, 1976.
Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Grand Valley State College of Michigan, 1979. Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Wayne State University, 1979. Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Michigan State University, 1980.
Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Northern Michigan University, 1980. Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Central Michigan University, 1981. Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), University Detroit, 1981.
Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), University Michigan, 1982. Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Cleary College, 1984. Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Northeastern University, 1985.
Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Long Island University, 1986. Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Columbia College, Chicago, 1986. Doctor of Philosophy (honorary), Madonna College Detroit, 1987.
Postgraduate, Peru St. College, Nebraska, 1988. Postgraduate, University Denver, 1988.
He interrupted his studies to serve in the United States Navy during World World War II, 1944–1946. He also served in the United States Air Force Reserve from 1950 to 1958. After the war, he received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Denver in 1949, and a Juris Doctor from that university"s College of Law in 1951.
He was admitted to the bar in 1951 and practiced law in Taylor, Michigan.
He was justice of the peace for Taylor Township, 1955–1957. City attorney for Melvindale, 1957–1959.
And attorney for Taylor Township, 1957–1964. He was a delegate to the Michigan constitutional convention, 1961–1962, which drafted the state constitution adopted in 1963.
He was elected as a Democrat to the United States House of Representatives for the 89th and the fourteen succeeding Congresses, serving from January 3, 1965 to January 3, 1995.
He was not a candidate for reelection to the One Hundred Fourth Congress. He was chairman of the United States. House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service in the 97th through 101st Congresses, and of the Committee on Education and Labor in the 102nd and 103rd Congresses. He died at his home in Ypsilanti Township, Michigan of complications from a stroke and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
He was a member of the Michigan State Senate, 1962–1964. Member and officer of Michigan"s Sixteenth District Democratic Organization, 1952–1964. Delegate to Michigan Democratic conventions, 1952–1970, and to the Democratic National Convention in 1968.
Married Mary Whalen; children: William David, Margaret, John P.