William P. Swift

BARNSTABLE — William P. Swift, 88, of Barnstable Village, died at his home on July 18, 2008. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Harriett (Jones) Swift.

He was born in Providence, R.I., on March 28, 1920, son of the late Paul M. and Gladys (Cram) Swift. A graduate of Tabor Academy and the University of Vermont, Bill entered the U.S. Coast Guard in 1942, serving in the American, European and Asiatic-Pacific Theatres, and was present at Normandy on D-Day as well. He was honorably discharged in 1946, but continued his service with the Coast Guard Reserves. After discharge, he completed law school at Boston University and was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in 1948 and the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts in 1951, opening an office in Hyannis and practicing law well into the 1980s.

For many years, Bill enjoyed invitations to attend and participate in the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. He served on the board of directors of the Bass River Savings Bank and Cape Cod Cooperative Bank. Bill held his FCC amateur radio license, was a member of the Civil Air Patrol and also held his student pilot certificate. He was happiest spending his summers on Sandy Neck with friends and family. Bill was a devoted sailor of the "Zip," one of the co-founders of the Cruising Club of Cape Cod and a longtime member of the Hyannis Yacht Club. He was often seen walking to the post office in Barnstable Village. He was a quietly charitable man.

Mr. Swift is survived by his son, William F., and his wife, Catherine; his daughter, Wendy S. LaPine, and her husband, Paul; his four grandchildren, Amanda, Zachary, Alyssa and Matthew; and two great-grandchildren, Aiden and Brady.

Visiting hours will be in the John-Lawrence Funeral Home, 3778 Falmouth Road (Route 28), Marstons Mills, today, Tuesday, from 5 to 7 p.m. Burial will be private.

Donations in his name may be made to the William A. Jones Scholarship Fund, c/o the Barnstable Fire Dept., P.O. Box 94, Barnstable, MA 02630.