Hudson. Guests can come and go as they please. in history in 1979 after completing a 105-page long senior thesis titled "Henry Ford and Labor: A Reappraisal. The exhibit, which runs through November, will explore the evolution of wedding traditions and trends as seen through four generations of Ford family weddings. This net worth evaluation does not reflect any other assets that Mr. Ford, Jr. may own. [13] The Escape's platform mates Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute were also scheduled to receive hybrid-electric powertrain options, along with other upcoming vehicles in the Ford product line including the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan. The S.S. William Clay Ford provided years of reliable service transporting iron ore and coal from the upper Great Lakes to the River Rouge Steel Plant, a subsidiary of Ford Motor Company. U.S. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. United States | English -- William Clay Ford Sr., the owner of the Detroit Lions, has died at the age of 88. William Clay Ford Jr. They even rebuilt the staircase so it swoops down in a curve. The Ford and Firestone family has been established as a true dynasty throughout history. The Charles T. Fisher mansion is the largest home in the Detroit's historic Boston-Edison district. The Hall opened to the public in 1971. Currently, Lee is practicing the smidgen of Chinese that he picked up while visiting the Chinese mainland in hopes of someday being able to read certain historical texts in their original language. The native of Madurai, India has established himself in the corporate world. Si quieres personalizar tus opciones, haz clic en Gestionar configuracin de privacidad. Embossed on photo front: "Hance." Content tailored to your personal preferences, Favorite content saved within your briefcase, Media advisories, newsletters, and email alerts and PR contact information. She was a part of the Ford Motor Company fleet of ore carriers and made her home port at the Ford's River Rouge Plant, south of Detroit, Michigan. She was named for William Clay Ford, Sr., grandson of Henry Ford, Sr. Their schedules were unpredictable because they were depended on wind for propulsion. The 1922 English Tudor-style mansion was built for Charles and Sarah Fisher by architect George D. Mason. Beyond that is a glamorous foyer they created by taking out walls, adding a marble floor with a large marble medallion they designed and a grand crystal chandelier. He left that position in order to become chair of the Board of Directors Finance Committee in 1995. Their children will be the 6th generation of the Ford family in the business, but thats if they decide to pursue it. The Ford Motor Company is one of Americas most beloved brands. In addition to his duties as chair, he served as chief executive officer of the company from October 2001 to September 2006, when he was named executive chair. Homes - Celebrity - Business, Homes - Celebrity - Former Links: en.wikipedia.org By: tlp333 Advertisement 1948), Sheila Firestone Hamp (b. He probably committed to veganism because of his love for the environment. Had they stayed, the next projects were to move outdoors an outdoor kitchen, a pool, a mud room. Now the grounds stay in their original stately form an acre with deep trees, aged brick walls, brick patios and classic estate shade plantings ivy, azalea, hydrangea. Mr. Ford was the last surviving grandchild of the. 20, 2017 William Clay Ford, Jr., Executive Chairman of Ford Motor Company and great-grandson of the companys founder, Henry Ford, today unveiled a plaque and bench in Ballinascarthy, Ireland, to commemorate 100 years of Ford in the country. This past weekend at Mlive, Killer Kowlaski regaled us with the "Curse of Bobby Layne" story. "Everything we did was like we were going to stay here forever.". [19] He is first cousin to Alfred Ford. Bill Ford House Pictures Bill Ford, a.k.a. Nosotros, Autoblog, somos parte de la familia de marcas de Yahoo. Our job is to try with the help of our clients, family members and the historical record and find the essence of our subject, the real person as it were, said Ivan Schwartz, StudioEIS founder and director. At the same time it is accelerating its efforts to be the most trusted provider of smart vehicles and mobility services. Born in Detroit, Michigan to Edsel Ford and Eleanor Lowthian Clay, Ford served in the U.S. Navy Air Corps during World War II. They lived just blocks apart at that time. At one side of the dining room they created an elaborate bar. The house and its 1,500 acres are now home to Oakland University. Please select less number of photos for download. This article from Autonews.com, recounts a heartwarming conversation Bill Jr. and Bill Sr. had when the younger Ford was only a teen. The company that Henry Ford legally established in 1917 was entitled Henry Ford & Son Ltd., and that continues to be the legal name of Ford in Ireland to this day the only Ford entity in the world to include the full name of the companys founder in its title. For example, Clay was an unabashed dove during the Vietnam conflict. Looking to the future, in 2011 he began outlining the companys vision of what sustainable transportation will look like in the years ahead, as well as the steps it will take to get there. We all know the company he's running, but there are probably many things that you don't know about William "Bill" Clay Ford Jr. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. William Clay Ford Baseball Field 1200 West Canfield Street Detroit, MI 48201. . In the end, it doesn't bring much happiness. His father was William Clay Ford Sr. and his mother is Martha Firestone. When they married in 1916, she was 20 and Edsel was almost 23. Wander. Ford has three sisters: Martha Morse (who has 3 children), Sheila Hamp (who has 3 children), and Elizabeth Kontulis. How Does Edward Snowdens New Surveillance App Work? If anything, it was relatively modest. William Clay "Bill" Ford Jr. (born May 3, 1957 in Detroit, Michigan), is the great-grandson of Henry Ford, and serves as the executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, Ford also served as the President, CEO, and COO until turning over those roles to former Boeing executive Alan Mulally in September 2006. This owners' suite includes a large corner of fine cabinets and a granite counter that looks like a second kitchen, except for having no stove. Allen Lee is a Toronto-based freelance writer who studied business in school but has since turned to other pursuits. He spent his first few years after college in jobs in the Northeast and in . Bill and Lisa have four children total, two girls and two boys. Through Detroit Lions Charities, he helped develop the Detroit Police Athletic League youth football program into one of the largest in the country. "Peanut pool, club house and gardens in 1939". Mr. Ford purchased the Detroit Lions in 1963 for $6 million. It serves as a hosting space for Oakland University, weddings, events and is open for historical tours. LOGIN OR When Fisher purchased the home 8 years ago, the front porch had caved in and a leak in the basement had flooded the 1,000 organ pipes and damaged the ballroom. Ford, who died Sunday at age 88, never knew the success on the field that he did at Ford Motors where, as a grandson of the automotive pioneer Henry Ford, he played an integral role in. Edsel and Eleanor met at Annie Ward Fosters Dancing School when she was 15 and he was 18. During his visit Bill Ford will also participate in a civic reception at Cork City Hall, hosted by the Lord Mayor of Cork City, at which the contribution of employees of Henry Ford & Son Limited during the past 100 years will be recognised. The only thing that is driving me is self-satisfaction, self-validation. Seeinside theCharles T. Fisher house now. Special to The New York Times Mr. Ford was. The Ford factory in Cork was established in April 1917. The old living room was repurposed into a new dining room big enough to hold multiple tables . Alternative fuel vehicles operate on non-petroleum fuels, such as methanol, compressed natural gas (CNG), propane, and hydrogen. Bill then proceeded to finish his masters education from MIT Sloan School of Management as a Sloan Fellow. Over 70,000 visitors are welcomed to the Hall each year. The lower level also provides visitors with information on the design and purpose of freighters. Despite this change, the vessel still could not compete in the transportation industry because freighter size and technology kept advancing. But when Edsel Ford, Henry Ford's only child, married Eleanor Lowthian Clay on Nov. 1, 1916, it wasn't a. Attached Images October-20-17, 09:28 AM #14 p69rrh51 Join Date He is an avid fly fisherman and car enthusiast, enjoys playing hockey and tennis, and is a martial arts black belt. He joined the board of directors in 1988 and has been its chair since January 1999. Images, video and audio from this Web site are provided without login for the purpose of editorial use only. The Anderson and Ford had made it to safety at Whitefish Bay, but went back into the storm at the request of the Coast Guard to look for survivors of the Fitzgerald. Ford expanded its lineup of flexible-fuel vehicles, alternative fuel vehicles, and dual-fuel vehicles. William Clay has a combined net worth of $4 billion. In December 1984, she hauled her last load of cargo from Duluth, Minnesota, to Rouge Basin, south of Detroit. Hes actually got a photo in his office depicting the day when he broke a stack of six cement patio bricks. Embossed on photo front: "Hance." Mason also designed the Ransom Gillis House, the Belle Isle Aquarium and Mackinac Island's Grand Hotel. What you see on the landscape really represents what Edsel and Eleanor looked like, she said. Please select individual photos within album for download. When Lions owner William Clay Ford Sr. died in 2014, it was widely assumed that his son, Bill Ford Jr., would take over the team. The 60-room home was perfectly preserved by Eleanor Clay Ford with antiques and furnishing dating back to the late 16th century and artwork from Europe and Great Britain. Ford, who turns 80 . William Lacy Clay 1931 -. Ford has been a vegetarian since 1990, and adopted a vegan diet in 2010.[20]. 2023 Detroit Historical Society. The house sits on 17.1 acres and has an. [10][11], In 2000, he announced that the company would achieve a 25% improvement in fuel efficiency in the company's light truck fleet, including SUVs, by mid-decade.[12]. Nothing is more important to me than our reputation as a family company that people trust to do the right thing.. Stamped on photo back: "George D. Mason & Co., architects, 508 Griswold St., Detroit, Mich." 1917. For more information of how to tour of the home and the gardens visitmeadowbrookhall.org, Related:Tour Detroit's neighborhood of automotive pioneers, Boston-Edison, (Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library), "Exterior view of the Frederick J. Fisher residence at 54 Arden Park, snow on the ground. Our vision is to expand on that thinking, using advanced technology and new business models so that personal mobility remains viable in a crowded world. It's large and sunny with white cabinetry and built-ins, tile accents and an island. How Much Is the Power Rangers Franchise Worth? Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, as well as connected services. |. "Dining room with ornate table with carved legs and velvet chairs with antimacassars, and Oriental rug. Motor Company, died early today of an apparent heart attack aboard his yacht, which was docked in the Cheboygan River in Michigan. I believe the purpose of a company is to make peoples lives better, he says. You could say that Bills parents were the perfect pair. The ship was a part of the Ford Motor Company fleet of ore carriers and made her home port at Ford's River Rouge Plant, south of Detroit, Michigan. It sits on 17-acres of gardens and Jen Jensen-designed landscape. He, like his great-grandfather Henry Ford, is of mainly Irish, English, and Belgian descent. William Clay Ford Sr. (March 14, 1925 - March 9, 2014) was an American businessman. Its rare that we add anything to the grounds, and this is an extraordinary supplement to the estate, said Edsel B. Ford II, the couples grandson and chairman of the Ford House board of trustees, in a press release. "Living room with carved ceiling and carved stone fireplace over which a portrait of a woman is hung. The introduction of iron allowed shipbuilders to design and build larger, more durable hulls. Bill surely has the brains, as he received an Ivy League education and degree in history from Princeton University in 1979. Her keel was laid in 1952 at River Rouge, Michigan by the Great Lakes Engineering Works, and she was launched in 1953. Instructions on how to reset your password have been sent to the email you entered. Additionally, Ford is establishing leadership positions in mobility solutions, including self-driving technology, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Prior to her marriage she expressed interest in social work, teaching at a settlement school. Profession. It was named for William Clay Ford, Sr., grandson of Henry Ford, Sr.Its keel was laid in 1952 at River Rouge, Michigan by the Great Lakes Engineering Works, and it was launched in 1953.It was a part of the Ford Motor Company fleet of ore carriers and made its home port at the Ford's River Rouge Plant . Ford also served as the President, Chief Executive Officer, and Chief Operating Officer until turning over those roles to Boeing executive Alan Mulally in September 2006. While he may be a natural when it comes to the automobile business, his passion happens to be nature and the environment. She was named for William Clay Ford, Sr., grandson of Henry Ford, Sr. Detroit Lions owner William Clay Ford passes away at 88. I'm not motivated by money or power or fame. That . In 1983 he began a 12-month course of study as an Alfred P. Sloan fellow at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. [17] In January 2010, he announced the launch of a strategic investment firm, Fontinalis Partners, with the purpose of investing in innovative companies developing next-generation mobility solutions. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Low Resolution Photos. Place Of Birth. Bill was definitely the Ford that was different from everyone else. Bills actually been a vegetarian since 1990. In 1984 he received an M.S. The foundry, Bollinger Atelier, cast a hollow wax copy from the StudioEIS mold. The Edsel & Eleanor Ford House was the former private residence of Henry and Clara Ford's only child, Edsel, his wife Eleanor and their children: Henry II, Benson, Josephine and William. Select a location. They created this view too by taking out walls, putting in columns and replacing the old sunroom walls with arching windows. William Clay Ford Jr. (born May 3, 1957) is an American businessman, serving as executive chairman of Ford Motor Company. He was the one responsible for breathing new life into the organization and everything that involved its operation. The 100 year-old Fair Lane estate of Henry and Clara Ford is undergoing extensive renovation to the restore the 31,770 square feet home back to its original state. In its first ten years, Ford 30,000 volunteers worked on more than 9,000 projects in 40 countries. The 48-room estate has 12 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, a pub, a private chapel, a prohibition-style pub and a gymnasium on the third floor. On the second floor they opened up a curving central foyer that looks straight down into the marble medallion. William Clay Ford Sr., seen here watching Lions minicamp in 2009, bought the team in 1963 for $4.5 million. During a gale-force storm on November 10, 1975, the S.S. William Clay Ford left the safe harbor of Whitefish Pointunder the command of Captain Donald Erickson in search of survivors from the doomed S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald. In 2004, the company completed the worlds largest brownfield reclamation project, the restoration of its Ford Rouge Center in metropolitan Detroit. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Princeton University and a master of science degree in management from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). At a Glance . In the 1830s, steam powered ships made lake travel more flexible and reliable. He also briefly headed the Climate Control Division (since divested from the company as part of the Visteon spinoff). Enter your email below and we'll send a link to help you access your account. He, along with his father, was instrumental in bringing the Lions back "home" to Detroit when the team made the decision in 1996 . During the 1982 Ford-United Auto Workers labor talks, which launched the employee involvement movement that revolutionized the industry, he served on the companys National Bargaining Team. "Driveway up to the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House". Quotes. mostrar anuncios y contenido personalizados basados en perfiles de inters; medir la efectividad de los anuncios y el contenido personalizados, y. desarrollar y mejorar nuestros productos y servicios. They had four children together, Martha Parke Morse (b. [clarification needed] Ford co-founded the firm with Ralph Booth (Chairman and CEO of Booth American Company and a media and telecom investor), Mark Schulz (former head of Ford Motor Company's international operations), Chris Cheever, and Chris Thomas.[18]. The companys Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for and deepen the loyalty of those customers. The couple met while they were both in Princeton. Vehicles using those fueling alternatives were in test fleets, for example as taxis and shuttle buses, and some were available for sale to the public. It will be a magnet for attracting talent and a catalyst for creativity and change.. 'Dossin Great Lakes Museum' by William E. Knapp, Belle Isle Aquarium & Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory, 'Samuel Francis Smith Memorial Flagpole' by Albert Kahn, Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix start/finish line, 'James Scott Memorial Fountain' by Cass Gilbert. He joined the board of directors in 1988 and has been its chair since January 1999. "Detail of living room showing carved stone fireplace, portrait of a woman over mantel, velvet-covered chairs and lamps with fringed shades on an Oriental rug in front. Home / Uncategorized / william clay ford jr house. The house was designed by prominent architect Albert Kahn, known for his work on several iconic structures in Detroit and industrial design in Ford Motor Co. factories. "Exterior of the Charles T. Fisher residence showing rounded room at house corner. Written on photo back: "Detail res. Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 52,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. Some of his favorites include John Denver and Peter, Paul, and Mary. Stamped on photo front: "Thos. A young William Clay Ford stands in front of his father, Edsel, in this circa 1929 photo. 10 Things You Didnt Know About Sundar Pichai. This stately, gated house just off Lake St. Clair was built by a retired general, then bought by Bill Ford, then Kirk Gibson. Ford's restructuring plan, dubbed "The Way Forward", reversed a $1.6 billion loss during 2009 in its North American operations. William Clay Ford Jr. (born May 3, 1957) is an American businessman, serving as executive chairman of Ford Motor Company. Puedes cambiar tus opciones en cualquier momento haciendo clic en el enlace Panel de control de privacidad de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. During his time in that position he took the company from a $5.5 billion loss in 2001 to three straight years of profitability. Ford graduated from the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut in 1975. Freighter design changed for economic reasons. He spends more time than is perhaps wise with his eyes fixed on a screen either reading history books, keeping up with international news, or playing the latest releases on the Steam platform, which serve as the subject matter for much of his writing output. Stamped on photo back: "George D. Mason & Co., architects, 508 Griswold St., Detroit, Mich." 1917, "Room for dancing with chairs and bences lining walls, mirror at one end, tiled floor. Ford's executive chairman, William Clay Ford Jr., said the alliance "will help us build more [electric vehicles] faster" and would "help us get up to speed so we can build the batteries ourselves," the Times reported. proporcionarte nuestros sitios y aplicaciones; autenticar usuarios, aplicar medidas de seguridad y evitar el spam y los abusos, y. medir el uso que haces de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. The show consists of footage, Read More How Much Is the Power Rangers Franchise Worth?Continue, Sundar Pichai is the Chief Executive Officer at Google. The family moved into their home in 1928. He was the Secretary chairman of Ford Motor Company. William Clay is a pull-no-punches congressman from Missouri who is not afraid to engage in burning rhetoric to get his views across. Low Resolution Photos. After rotating hands several times Michael Fisher, a cousin of the Fisher family, decided he wanted to buy the home. Embossed on photo front: "Hance." SS William Clay Ford was a bulk freighter built for hauling material on the Great Lakes. When Bill told his father that he had decided to work for the company, Bill Sr. was ecstatic. He joined Ford in 1979 and held a variety of positions, beginning in product development and on the financial staff, a grooming ground for future executives. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. This successful businessman may be carrying the surname of his great grandfather, but hes surely made a name for himself in his industry. In addition to his black belt, Bill also studies and practices yoga regularly, and he embraces various Buddhist and homeopathic practices. Hes living his ideal life, and we suspect hed be doing the same thing even if he didnt have the power of the Ford surname under his belt. Witch House Tattoo is Ferndale's new spooky, secret tattoo studio By Lee DeVito Mar 1, 2023 Early Life Story, Family Background and Education. 2022 The Ford Motor Company | This site may contain links to external websites not affiliated with Ford Motor Company | Images, video and audio from this Web site are provided without login for the purpose of editorial use only. 1957 . In recognition of his commitment to education and devotion to the Detroit community, in 2015 he was given the Ambassador for Humanity Award by the USC Shoah Foundation Institute. He was inducted into the Irish America Hall of Fame in 2011. Next there's a long view through the foyer to the new living room then the arched windows of the sunroom, finally the yard. It was his fathers enterprise at one point. They call this the breakfast nook. As vice chair of the Detroit Lions professional football team, he led efforts to build a new, environmentally-friendly stadium in Detroit that was the site of Super Bowl XL. william clay ford jr house. Meadow Brook Hall, located in Rochester Hills, was the county estate of Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of auto baron John F. Dodge, and her second husband, lumber baron, Alfred Wilson. William Clay Ford, Jr Home Bill Ford, Jr. put his riverfront property in Ann Arbor on the market in January of 2007 for $3.95 million. After Eleanor passed the house was opened to the public in 1978 to experience the Ford's history and grand estate. Josephine Clay Ford, a leading philanthropist who was the only granddaughter of automotive pioneer Henry Ford, died Wednesday in Detroit . The S.S. William Clay Ford is best known for its brave crew. "Wood-paneled room with built-in bookcases, an ornately carved desk with chair in corner, and velvet-upholstered armchair and sofa. By Steve Chawkins. According to this article from the New York Times, Bill keeps a guitar in a corner in his office. The bronzes create an image of who Edsel and Eleanor really were, Mullins said. On his mother's side, his grandparents are Harvey S. Firestone Jr. and Elizabeth Parke. He was elected chairman of the board in September 1998 and took office on January 1, 1999. Download size exceeds 350 MB. Key features: Stately, gated house in estate-like setting is extensively remodeled inside to open up views with walls of arched windows, expand key rooms and create sun-drenched panache. "Exterior of the Charles T. Fisher residence showing front entrance and steps. Ford announced that half of the vehicle lineup would be available with advanced hybrid-electric powerplant options by 2010, although the Company's earlier pledge to build 250,000 hybrid vehicles a year by 2010 proved to be overly optimistic and had to be abandoned. He started off as treasure before becoming vice chairman for the Lions organization. It may be difficult to imagine Bill having time for anything else apart from his work, but he surely sets aside time for other important things in lifefolk music for example. It reads: .mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}. After their wedding, they left on a honeymoon trip out west, going as far as Hawaii. Became Legislative Leader " I Don ' t Represent All People " Sources. The company is transforming this former railroad station into the centerpiece of a vibrant new campus where Ford Motor Company and its partners will work on autonomous and electric vehicle businesses, and design solutions that make mobility more convenient and accessible. (Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan) USA / Michigan / Grosse Pointe Shores / Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan / Lake Shore Road, 1000. house, celebrity home. Despite this change, the vessel still could not compete in the transportation industry because freighter size and technology kept advancing. All hands aboard the S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald were lost that day, but the S.S. William Clay Fords crews' bravery received much recognition. Apart from playing music, Bill happens to be a black belter in Tae Kwon Do. Year-round tours, special exhibitions and community events are offered. Flexible fuel vehicles can operate on a range of fuel mixtures such as ethanol-gasoline blends ranging from pure gasoline to E85 (85% ethanol, 15% gasoline). In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). My great-grandfather helped put the world on wheels so everyone could enjoy the benefits of mobility, he says. Pursued Progress Through Politics. Our Corktown campus will help us achieve that vision. Bill Ford was elected a company vice president and head of the companys Commercial Truck Vehicle Center in 1994. Ford also developed new crossover SUVs, such as the Ford Edge, Lincoln MKX, and Mazda CX-7. Ford also worked as the CEO, president, and COO until turning over his duties to former Boeing executive Alan Mulally in 2006. Related:32-acre Clarkston farmhouse once had a buffalo herd. It was Bill who made the Ford Field possible. This successful businessman may be carrying the surname of his great grandfather, but he's surely made a name for himself in his industry. Wedding Gown of Elizabeth Hudson Ford, daughter of William Clay Ford and Martha Firestone Ford. [16], Ford has been a vocal advocate for improvements to be made in all modes of global transportation, having stated that governments and private industry would need to rethink transportation infrastructure and technology as the global population expands and the existing infrastructure is unable to keep pace. You must contact [email protected] to obtain approval for advertising, marketing or other commercial uses. Heinz Company, was ceremoniously accepted in 1954 by William Clay Ford, grandson of Henry Ford and recently named Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Edison Institute (now The Henry Ford). Later, the wax was emptied out of ceramic shell material and bronze was poured into the mold. Stamped on photo front: "Thomas Ellison, Detroit, Mich." Written on photo back: "Fisher, Charles T." 1921. Eventually, they had four children and settled at their estate on Gaulker Pointe in Grosse Pointe Shores. Designed by Robert O. Derrick for Sidney Trowbridge Miller Jr. 248 Provencal built in 1925 Grosse Pointe Farms, MI. The S.S. William Clay Ford, a Great Lakes freighter, was scrapped in 1987 and its pilot house was brought to the Dossin Great Lakes Museum. Here are 10 things to get you started. The first captain of the William Clay Ford was John Jameson Pearce of Dearborn, Michigan.