Walter “Walt” Henry Ford, 87, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2026, surrounded by the love of his family.

Walt was born on April 26, 1939, in Berkeley, Illinois. He graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois, and went on to build a long and successful career as a construction superintendent, overseeing the construction of large commercial buildings. His work was a source of pride, and he was known for his knowledge, dedication, and ability to get the job done.

Walt was married to his wife, Frances Ford, and together they made their home in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, before relocating to Cape Coral, Florida, in 2004. Florida gave Walt even more opportunities to enjoy the things he loved most—being outdoors, on the water, and spending time with family.

An avid boater, fisherman, and hunter, Walt loved the outdoors. Whether he was out on the water, fishing, hunting, or simply enjoying nature, he was happiest outside. But as much as he loved the outdoors, nothing compared to the love he had for his grandchildren. They brought him tremendous joy and were among the greatest blessings of his life.

Walt also had a remarkable talent for keeping life interesting. He never failed to make his family laugh, often without even trying. Over the years, he seemed to have more than his fair share of unbelievable adventures, accidents, and near-death experiences. His family often joked that if cats had nine lives, Walt had 37. Somehow, he always managed to come through each adventure with another story to tell—and usually a good laugh afterward.

Walt is survived by his wife, Frances; his children, Dave (Kellie) Ford, and Madelyn (David) Erffmeyer; his three stepdaughters, Carla, Margaret, and Janeen; and his brother, Steven (Susan) Ford.

He leaves behind six beloved grandchildren: Joshua Walter Nielsen, Brittany Lehann Kawa, Nicholas Michael Kawa, Joshua Russell Erffmeyer, Max Ford, and Jack Walter Ford; and four great-grandchildren, Adan, Oaklynn, Quentin, and Bowen Walter.

Walt was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Smith and Audrey Ford, and his brother, David Ford.

Walt treasured his family and took great pride in watching his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren grow. His love for the outdoors may have been one of his greatest passions, but his family was always close to his heart.

Walt will be remembered for the life he built, his dedication to his work, his love of boating, fishing, hunting, and the outdoors, his unforgettable adventures, and most of all, for the laughter and memories he created with the people he loved.

A private family memorial will be arranged at a later date.

Rest peacefully, Walt. You had 37 lives, and you certainly made every one of them count. You will be deeply missed, forever remembered, and always loved.