Heywood Ford, 72, formerly of Wilmington Island, GA, passed away on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at Station Exchange Senior Care in Richmond Hill, GA.

Born in Augusta, GA, on August 9, 1953, Heywood attended Savannah area public schools before receiving his GED.  He later received his AWS Certified Welder (CW) credential.  He was a member of Local 256 and Local 188 and worked as a certified welder, millwright, pipefitter, sheeter, and fabricator at various industries in Savannah and Augusta, GA and Jacksonville, FL including GAF, Kemira Pigments, Inc., Georgia Pacific, and MacAljon, Inc.  Heywood's favorite holiday was St. Patrick's Day and for many years he was a member of the Savannah St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee.  His entry represented the Catholic War Veterans and he provided free meals to servicemen and veterans prior to the start of the parade.  He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Freemasons, and Wounded Warriors Project where he participated in many fundraisers.  Heywood was a Christian and attended many houses of worship.

Heywood enjoyed staying busy.  After retiring, he spent his summers selling fresh watermelon and other fruits and vegetables from his truck. During the fall and winter months, he splinted many pieces of wood filling the backyard of his home with cords of wood to sell.   He was affectionately known as "Watermelon Man" and "Wood Man" on Wilmington Island.   He also enjoyed reading, gardening, keeping his eye on the stock market, working with his hands, and talking with his host of friends.

Heywood was predeceased by his parents, James Hamilton Ford and Mattie Lou Youngblood Ford; two brothers, J. W. Ford and Jack C. Ford and granddaughter, Madison McKay. He is survived by his four children, Jennifer McKay (Jay), Daryl Ford (Lindsey), Derek Ford, and Ashley Nelson (Mark); siblings James Ford, Jr., Mary Kelley, Patsy Jenkins, Cassie Langham, and Patricia Pitts.   He also leaves behind several grandchildren, and great grandchildren as well as his former wife, Cheryl J. Ford, who helped care for him in his final days.

A visitation and memorial service will be held on Friday, May 15, 2026 at Parkway Church of Christ (4360 Ogeechee Rd., Savannah, GA 31405).  The visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. followed by the memorial service at 2:00 p.m.

Interment will follow at Hillcrest Abbey West (1336 Dean Forest Rd., Savannah, GA 31405) at 3:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Station Exchange Employee Fund, Station Exchange Senior Care, 3205 TSX Grand Central, Richmond Hill, GA 31324.