JACKSON -- Wilson "Bill" Ford, 85, of Jackson died Saturday, Aug. 2, 1997, at the Jackson Manor Nursing Home.

He was born June 30, 1912, at Advance, the son of Newton Dilworth and Ellen Florence Sheppard Ford.

He married Jessie Edna Kasting on June 24, 1934, at Marble Hill.

He farmed for many years and after retiring, he moved to Jackson.

He worked for Cape Girardeau County and was instrumental in the development of Klaus Park.

He was a member of the Cape Girardeau County Farm Bureau and the Cattlemen Shipping Association.

He was baptized at Gravel Hill Church at the age of 17. He was a member of Iona Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife; a son, Joe Don Ford of Cape Girardeau; seven daughters, Margie Welker, Carol Lamb and Carla Ford, all of Cape Girardeau, Dana Ford, Ella Pleasant and Barbara Sides, all of Jackson, and Martha Winchester of Brighton, Ill.; 16 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, two brothers and two sisters.

Friends may call from 4-8 p.m. today at Cracraft-Miller Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Monday at the funeral home.

The Rev. Don Ford will officiate, with burial in Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.