Ford's repose draws hundreds to museum

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Some mourners packed their cars and drove hours to pay final respects to former first lady Betty Ford, who had a public repose Wednesday night at the museum named after her late husband, former President Gerald Ford.

"It's worth being in the line and meeting other interesting people," said Larry Spring, who drove in with his girlfriend from South Bend, Ind. "(I'm) getting goose bumps for real."

A number of those who attended the repose said they felt they were witnessing history -- and this marked an official farewell for a woman who opened so many doors.

Hundreds lined up along the motorcade route to catch a glimpse of the hearse carrying Ford's casket from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport to the museum. Her family accompanied her body here from California. They landed in a military plane just before 5 p.m.

The public repose will continue from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Thursday at the museum. Members of the public are asked to enter through DeVos Place.

Mrs. Ford's funeral will take place at 2 p.m. Her late husband died in 2006.