Reverend Willie Clyde Swint Sr.

Willie C. Swint was Born November 10, 1939 in Sandersville, Georgia to Ollie Reaves Swint Robinson (a.k.a. "Shine").

He was the oldest of 14 children, 7 boys and 7 girls. He eventually grew up to be known by many names such as Swint, W.C., Duck, Big Brother, and of course dad.

As a child, Swint was competitive, not just in football, but in life. He had a natural talent for visual arts and theater. Upon graduation in 1959 from L. S. Ingraham High School, Swint was awarded a college football scholarship to Florida A&M University, but his family couldn't afford to finance the remainder of the living expenses. Swint's options appeared dismal and included working full-time in the unforgiving fields of Middle Georgia. He had bigger dreams, and in the summer of 1959, he made the decision to enlist in the US Army. A decision that he often credited with influencing the trajectory of his life.

August 6th of 1967, Swint married Ruthie Mae Walls. In September of 1969, they had their first born, Junior. Shortly after, he left to serve in the Vietnam War. After serving two tours in Vietnam, Swint returned to the states where he and Ruthie continued to expand the Swint clan that later included Anthony, Phillip, and Nikki.

SGM (Retired)/Reverend Swint dedicated 30 years of his life towards serving his country in uniform. During those decades of service as an infantryman and later cavalry scout, he was presented with the most incredible opportunities to see the world. Tours in Korea, Germany, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Vietnam, Turkey, and multiple duty stations within the continental United States account for most of his travels. Some of that travel was not always pleasant, and in fact, took him to dangerous lands that nearly claimed his life on a few occasions. He never complained. He served. And, if you ever had a minute to talk, he had an hour and would bless you with one of his amazing stories that always had a unique sense of humor that chronicled events that if told without his special gift might send the average person running for cover. His motive behind every story was always the same – share his experience, provide some levity to calm the listener, identify the perceived and overwhelming obstacle, articulate his solution, and then communicate how that experience shaped his life. The goal is and will always be to learn, grow, and lift others along the way. During these life-changing discussions, he would often work in the phrase "Every day we take steps forward or backwards, but we never stay the same. And, you need to choose which direction you want to live your life."

A devoted Life Member of the Grand Masonic Lodge, Swint dedicated over 63 years to its principles of brotherhood, service, and integrity. His commitment to the Masonic Order reflected the same discipline, moral strength, and unwavering character that defined his military career and his ministry. He wore his membership with pride, honoring the values of faith, charity, and unity throughout his lifetime.

In February of 2019, Swint suffered the loss of his son Junior. Three years later, Ruthie Mae, his beautiful bride of more than 55 years died after a long battle withAlzheimer's.

Willie in Nov. 2022 remarried his high school classmate, Claudette Richardson.

Swint departed this world Saturday February 7, 2026. He is joined in heaven with his grandmother Susie E. Reaves, grandfather Emmitt Reaves, his mother Shine, brother Exturs Reaves, sister Marie Ingram, brother Paul Reaves, sister Annie Lois Blakely, brother Jessie Reaves Sr., brother and sister Raymond Roberts and Lilian Hood (father's children).

He leaves behind his sons Anthony L. Swint (Loretta), and Kelvin Phillip Swint (Jenny), daughter Jennifer Swint, wife Claudette Swint, sisters Melvyn A. Brown, Lannie Lewis, Susie (Melvin) Gun, Agnes (Kenneth) Washington, Tara Worthen, brothers Kenneth (Willie Mae) Reaves, Cecil Wayne (Lisa) Reaves, Johnny Reaves, brother-in-law Bruce Clayton, sister in-laws Dorothy (Charles) Smith, Syble R. Patrick (Los Angeles, CA), Virginia Sandiford (Huntsville, AL), grandchildren Kyle (April) Stanfield, Jaliyah Brown (Dalaan Organ), Austin Swint, Kennedy Swint, his great grandsons Bryson Kase & Oliver "Ollie" Lane Stanfield, and great granddaughters Lainey Kate Stanfield, and Jade Lyn Organ, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. A special recognition is left to Minnie & McKesson Stafford who referred to him as "Papa Swint".

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