William Swearinger

MORTON – Our father, Bill Swearinger, earned the nickname, Billy Bullet early on. He unapologetically lived his life in just the way he wished; with love for his family, prayers of thanks offered to our Father above, curiosity that answered his questions, attention to detail, appreciation of the finer things, deeply holding onto the relationships forged with friends and extended family, always learning, continually problem solving, sharing opinions, and always ready to help a soul in need.

His hearty handshake was extended at every greeting, and a warm hug soon followed.

Dad kept up on the ever changing edge of technology, beginning his professional pursuit in computers, progressing to systems analyzing, and ending his brilliant career in a corporate office for a trauma hospital, engaged in overseeing a team of engineers and fellow systems analysts who bettered the efficiency and working environment for their medical teams and their patients’ outcomes. His dedication and personability meant that everywhere we would travel with our father afforded the opportunity to witness appreciative coworkers and networking partners excited to meet and greet Dad outside of the workplace in order to just connect.

Hobbies were more like passions and works of perfection and artistry with Dad. He strived for only the absolute best in his mind, allowing himself time to learn, explore, retry, and develop the finest he could give. Award winning roses and bonsai were cultivated. His many camera lenses captured the details life graciously offers but most never see, always humbly giving the camera’s quality the credit he deserved. He boldly embraced the thrill of skydiving, where many fond memories lie on the flying field and at the jump zone. Building everything from model rockets, historic radio control planes, and even high tech drones afforded the opportunity to extend his absolute and true fascination with flying, let alone detailed water vessels stretching from a tugboat to a sailboat dedicated to my mom, to historic military vessels of the sea.

Embracing each person as unique and valued he and my mom opened our home to the world by taking in an exchange student who became our brother, and taking on an exchange student organization, giving us a new set of eyes to view and warmer hearts to embrace every culture.

Driving an open topped mg in Seattle’s rain serves as the analogy to his “Live life to the fullest” philosophy.

Intensely private with feelings, to we three daughters, his warm, green eyes gave away his reflective nature. Dad never missed a recital, game, hospital visit, graduation, family function, grandchild birth, driver’s test accomplishment, chance to brag about his family, or chance to tell us how much he loved and was proud of us. His temper softened as he guided us through each phase of growing into ourselves. He was proud to be known as an adorable grandpa to his grandchildren and their spouses, and could be “buttered up” to do just about anything that would help them in their chosen paths.

Dad’s fire burned brighter, warmer, and clearer with each of the passing 60+ years he spent loving my mom. Their relationship continues to show us that life is worth holding onto with heart, integrity, hard work, and great appreciation for the gift of each day.

Our dad, Bill Swearinger, would not want to be remembered for how he died, but for how he lived.

Rest in peace, Dad. We love you, and will carry and share your light and legacy with everyone each day of our lives.