Former Mayor of Williamstown passed away

WILLIAMSTOWN, W.Va. (WTAP) – Jean Ford was the first female Mayor of Williamstown, West Virginia. She served the community for 23 years and many will say she was very passionate about the town and people.

After serving as mayor, she focused on her and her late husbands jewelry shop, Mel’s Diamond House until early 2023.

“She was passionate about her hometown. She was passionate about Williamstown and that passion, you can tell it when you were in her presence when she would go to meetings or out in the community giving speeches. She wanted the best for that community and the people in that community.” said George Cosenza, local Attorney.

Senator Joe Manchin was a friend of Jean and sent his deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. “Gayle and I are heartbroken by the death of our dear friend, former Mayor Jean Ford. Jean was an incredibly dedicated public servant who served the city of Williamstown for more than two decades and was the first female mayor of Williamstown. Her impact on Williamstown and the entire state will last for generations. She has been a lifelong friend and I had the honor of speaking with her hours before she passed. We extend our deepest condolences to Jean’s family and all of her loved ones as they mourn this tremendous loss.”

The Mayor of Vienna, Randy Rapp expressed how much she meant to him and how honest she was. “Jean Ford was one of the best people who lived in the Mid-Ohio Valley and she never met a stranger. Everyone loved her because she was honest. She was a mentor to me and if the definition for Class needed wrote, Class was Jean Ford. She made the Mid-Ohio Valley and Williamstown the best it could look. She did it right all the time, it was always perfect. They do not make people like her anymore”.

Ford was involved in many different things in the community such as the Williamstown Kiwanis, Wood County Development Authority, 17 years at the First Bank, 8 years on Williamstown City Council, served on Board of Ohio Regional Council, Employed Savings Company, graduate of Williamstown High School, Owner-operator of Mel’s Diamond House, and Serves WV Woman’s Commission by appointment of WV Governor.

When Ford was first elected she donated part of her paycheck to the Williamstown Fire Department, which was $400.

“Jean Ford was a total respectful person. She treated people with that same respect, she had a lot of friends and for a city like Williamstown population she had a lot of friends in Charleston too. The Governor’s were always at her beckon and she basically, it might be hard to say this, but people do not understand how hard it is to get a stop light, but Jean could call the Governor and get something like that” said James Colombo, Wood County Commissioner.

George Cosenza described her as an icon.

“Because of the legacy that she left in the community, that she left in this community, the legacy that she left as a business woman, but I think even more importantly the legacy that she left for the people that knew her and loved her and what she did and as Mayor of Williamstown, she’s an icon. If we had a Mount Rushmore, her face would be on it” said Cosenza.

Cosenza and Colombo share their favorite memories with Jean Ford.

“Going to New York City with Mel and Jean and my lovely wife Lori and having dinner at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center and listening to the orchestra and dancing on that fabulous dance floor. That’s one of the greatest memories I have being with Jean. We laughed and we just had a wonderful, wonderful time.” said Cosenza.

“At one time, I was interested in bringing West Virginia water and just give us an example of what other people are doing and she actually was, for a small lady she just went into my face and said you better not do that and I said why jean and she said basically what people believe this is our water, we should be able to control our own water. She was just a great person. She always had the ability to be direct one way or another, positive or negative, but her negatives were always positive, so that’s a good thing.” said Colombo.

Arrangement for the services are still being determined at this time.

Rest In Peace Jean, you will be missed by many.

Copyright 2024 WTAP. All rights reserved.