William Clay Ford Sr.

William Clay Ford Sr.
Detroit Lions Owner (1963 – 2014)

William Clay Ford was born in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan. He graduated from the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut and went on to Yale University where he was a captain of the soccer (honorable mention All-American) and tennis teams, earning seven varsity letters during his collegiate career. After graduation, Ford held a variety of positions at the Ford Motor Company up to and including serving on the Board of Directors for 57 years, in addition to serving on many boards of other organizations. He purchased controlling interest of the Detroit Lions in 1963, maintaining control until his death. William Clay Ford was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 2005. He passed away on March 9, 2014 at 88 years of age.