Fortis “Gus” Ford, 90, born March 27, 1920, in Elizabeth, N.J., passed away from congestive heart failure Feb. 27 in Spring, Texas, in the home of his granddaughter with family at his side.

He was the youngest of seven children. His mother was American born and his father immigrated to America from Greece.

He joined the Army shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor and served three years.

After Gus' Army tour of duty, he returned to his former job with Dupont in New Jersey.

In the early 1950s, Gus moved to Las Vegas, where he drove taxi cab for 20 years. He had the opportunity to meet and transport many stars of the day. His favorites were Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Redd Foxx and Wayne Newton. He also had wonderful, fun stories to share and enjoyed telling them.

After he retired from driving cab, he became a tour bus driver with Grayline, retiring after 10 years.

Gus and his wife, Blanche, who was born and raised in Butler, loved to travel, were always on the go in their motorhome and spent every summer in Butler visiting family and friends.

He loved to play keno when he lived in Vegas, and Phase 10 was his favorite daily card game.

He was blessed with wonderful health and a clear mind. Gus and Blanche moved to Cut-N-Shoot, Texas, last year.

Gus was preceded in death by his father, mother and four brothers, Raymond, Walter, Chick and Johnny; and two sisters, Marion and Helen. His grandson, Matthew Huntsman, preceded him in death.He is survived by his wife of 22 years, Blanche; daughters, Dianna Nuenthel of Tucson, Ariz., Karen Airoldi and her husband, Rick, and Linda Wojton and her husband, John, all of Vacaville, Calif., Frances Tackett and husband, Dennis, and Florence “Gussie” Doyle and her husband, Jim, all of Henderson, Nev., Debbie Maready and her husband, Ed, of Conroe, Texas, and Diane James of Keansburg, N.J.; and a son, Fortis G. Ford II and his wife, Joann, of Las Vegas. Gus has 24 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.He was very loved and will be missed very much.