Ray Warren Ford, 88, of Columbia, died Monday, July 16, 2012. Born in Richland County on August 7, 1923, he was a son of the late John Ford and Mattie Hammonds Ford. Mr. Ford proudly served his country in the US Air Force during WWII and later went to work with the Department of Mental Health where he retired after 19 years as a nursing assistant. He was a member of Royal Pines Independent Holiness Church.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Huggins Ford; son, Warren (Julia) Ford of Elgin; step-son, Harold Finley of Springdale; step-daughters, Susan (Andy) Simons of Trenton, SC, Cindy Finley of West Columbia; several grandchildren, nieces and nephews; great grandchildren, Chad Lamar Ford and Justin Lee Ford. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Ray Ford; five brothers and three sisters.

The funeral service for Mr. Ford will be held Thursday, July 19 at 11 o'clock at Royal Pines Independent Holiness Church with The Rev. Nancy Brazell officiating. Entombment will follow in Crescent Hill Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends at the church prior to the service beginning at 10 o'clock. Memorials may be made to Royal Pines Independent Holiness Church, 140 Wynette Way, Columbia, SC 29229 or to the Alzheimer's Association, SC Chapter, 3223 Sunset Blvd., Suite 100, West Columbia, SC 29169.