William ‘Willie’ Riland Ford

William ‘Willie’ Riland Ford was born on the 14th of October 1860 to William Thomas Ford and Emma Jeanetta Fletcher in Richmond, Virginia. He died only 35 months later on the 8th of Aug 1863 in Richmond, Virginia.

Obituary.

Died, on the 8th inst., at the residence of his father, in the county of Henrico Willie R, oldest child of Emma J and William T Ford, aged two years and eleven months.

As a tiny bud, torn from its parent stem, was this little babe torn from its mother’s bosom, just as rare and beautiful qualities were developing themselves to entwine him more closely around the hearts of his fond parents. But, too beautiful and bright was he for earth; God took him home to wansplant his tiny and precious bud to a more beautiful clime. Sweet gentle, and loving in his disposition; quick and bright in mind, he attracted and aroused the tender feelings of all who saw or knew him. Call him not yours, fond parents; he was God’s. He was only sent awhile on earth to stay — an angel in Heaven now. Willie is happy. Let him be a link between his parents and his God Grieve not fond parents, but rather rejoice, “For God hath said: Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of Heaven.

I had a jewel, rich and rare,

Placed in a casket bright and fair;

But He that gave the jewel to me,

Has taken it home to Heaven, to him.

Willie darling, we will miss thee;

Here thy loss we deeply feel,

But ’tis God that bath

He can all our sorrows heal.