BLOG: Godspeed, William Clay Ford Sr.

William Clay Ford Sr., last surviving grandson of automotive titan Henry Ford and the owner of the Detroit Lions, has died at the age of 88. 

Ford Motor Co. said in a statement Sunday that Ford died of pneumonia at his home. Ford worked for Ford Motor Co. for 57 years and was the chairman of the company's design committee from 1957 until 1989. He was instrumental in the design decisions of many of Ford Motor's cars in that span. In 1978, he was named the chairman of the executive committee of Ford.

In addition, he was an ardent supporter of motorsports, particularly NASCAR.

"With the loss of Mr. Ford this weekend, if we couldn’t be in victory lane I’m really proud that a Ford was in victory lane both days," said Carl Edwards, who finished fifth in the Kobalt Tools 400 at Las Vegas. "We’re all thinking of the Ford family and the Bolin family.  We lost Ed Bolin this weekend too, a great supporter of NASCAR.”

Bolin is the father of Chip Bolin, top engineer at Roush Fenway Racing, and father-in-law of ONMC favorite Janet Bolin.  

Funeral services for Ford will be private, and Ford locations across the United States will lower Ford and American flags to half-staff for 30 days.

"On behalf of the France family and everyone at NASCAR, our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Ford family on the passing of William Clay Ford Sr.," said Brian France, NASCAR Chairman and CEO. "He was a worthy successor not only to a great company but also a legacy - and he served both exceptionally well. The grandson of Henry Ford will be remembered as a man of style, for both the automobiles he built and the life he led. He was a giant ... who forever will be missed."