Maurice Ford

Maurice Ford, 79, died Friday, January 28, 2011 in Abilene. The son of Edith (Ellis) and Cecil Ford, Maurice was born on September 3, 1931 in Muleshoe, Texas, and attended Hamlin High School. Maurice spent the majority of his career in the oil fields of West Texas. He worked for many years for Moran Brothers as a drilling superintendent before starting his own drilling company, Ford Drilling. Maurice loved his work and was a well respected member of the West Texas oil industry. Maurice completed his career as the drilling superintendent for Aztec Drilling in Arizona before retiring back to his hometown of Abilene. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lana Lowe Ford on July 11, 2008, a stepson, Keith Rapp; one grandson, Rusty Crane; his parents; two brothers, Glenn Ford and Ellis "Rinky" Ford; and one sister, Marie Wilcox. Maurice is survived by sons, Randy Maurice Ford of Tucson, Arizona, and Ricky Ford and wife Lisa of Graham, Texas; daughter, Regina Gail Barton of Abilene; three grandchildren, Greg Crane, Telitha Ford and Belite Ford; and eight great-grandchildren. Survivors also include one brother, Edsel Ford and wife Minnie of Fort Worth, and sister, Margie Brunner of Houston. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, January 31, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Rd. in Abilene, with Rev. David Cason officiating. Interment will follow in Ross Cemetery in Baird. The family will receive friends from 4 to 5 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Dan Echols, Lynn Edwards, Greg Crane, Scott Goldsby, Lonnie Ford and Darrell Ford. Memorials may be made to the donor's favorite charity.