He was the son of Joseph and Gertrude Ford (Nee Soper). He was educated at Moawhango and later married Phyllis Margaret Shepherd at Taihape in 1938. They had three children, Beverley Ngaire 1938, Kenneth David 1939, and Miles Allan 1943.

Roy served in the Pacific.

He lived in Taihape from 1938 to 1950 when the family moved to Kairanga, Plamerston North.

He died on 29 December 1984 and the funeral was held at All Saints Church, Palmerston North. He is buried at Kelvin Grove Lawn Cemetery. AWMM