I assume there might be some software that will do this for me or another program that can convert the Word .doc file?
You could try this: Ctrl-A to select the entire text. Ctrl-C to copy it. Open a new Word document ("blank document", not template or any other option). Press Ctrl-V to paste it - select "Match Destination Formatting" from the small icon appearing at the bottom of the pasted text.
Other options to try can be found here:
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/delete-styles-HP005262082.aspx
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word-help/CH006083009.aspx
What you can do is File, Save As, then at the bottom, where it says the File Format, change to Rich Text.
Word files can be used through doc fixer
Read next entry http://www.docfixer.fixdocfiles.com to know more