William Clay Ford Dies at Age 88

William Clay Ford, the last surviving grandchild of Henry Ford and father of Ford Motor Co. Chairman Bill Ford Jr., died on Sunday at age 88.

William Clay joined the Ford Motor Co. board in 1948, a year before graduating from Yale University. He was elected chairman of the company's Design Committee in 1957 and held that post for 32 years.

He also was past vice chairman of the Ford board and later chairman of the executive and finance committees. He retired from the board in 2005.

Ford was best-known locally as president and later owner of the Detroit Lions football team, where he remained as chairman until his death. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Martha Firestone Ford, three daughters, son Bill Ford Jr., 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

The family will hold a private funeral service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be sent in William Clay Ford's name to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., or the Innovation Institute at the Henry Ford Health System in Detroit.