William Swinney WILLIAMS

William Swinney Williams

William Swinney Williams, "Bill," died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008. He was the son of Frank Kemp and Bess Swinney Williams.

Born in Lynchburg on Sept. 1, 1924, Bill attended public schools in Lynchburg and graduated from Episcopal High School in Alexandria. After attending the University of Virginia and Duke University, he graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering from Purdue University. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II and the Korean Conflict, attaining the rank of Captain.

A lifelong member of Court Street United Methodist Church, he taught Sunday school for 40 years and served in many capacities including Administrative Board Chairman.

He was employed by Lynchburg Foundry Company in 1948 as sales engineer and held various engineering and manufacturing positions until his retirement as Senior Vice President in 1983. He continued to be involved with the Foundry in various consulting capacities until 1991. He was very active in foundry industry affairs, serving on the boards of the National Foundry Association, the Foundry Educational Foundation, and as board member and president of the Iron Castings Society, by whom he was presented the William J. Grede Award for service to the industry.

Also active in local civic activities, Bill served on the boards of the YMCA, United Way, Junior Achievement, Chamber of Commerce, Central Virginia Community College, Center for Advanced Engineering, Jones Memorial Library, Springhill Cemetery, Cooperative Savings Bank, Central Virginia Industries, Bob White Lodge and the Greater Lynchburg Transit Company. He also served as president of the Kiwanis Club of Lynchburg.

He was an avid fisherman, tennis player, golfer and turkey hunter.

He was preceded in death by wives, Marie Bright Williams and Alice Becker Williams; a son, Orrie Edward Bright Williams; and grandson, John Cary Williams.

He is survived by his wife, Ella Jackson Williams and her loving family; two sons, William S. Williams Jr. (Patricia) of Bedford and Frank Kemp Williams II (Susan) of Lynchburg; and a daughter, Marie Williams Hemphill (Tom) of Supply, N.C. He is also survived by two grandsons, Sgt. Michael Colin Williams, USMC, of Lynchburg, and Frank Kemp Williams III of Lynchburg; and five granddaughters, Sarah Page Williams of Washington, D.C., Maria Lynne Williams of Reston, Patricia Dori Williams of Reston, Maryanne Marie Hemphill of Hickory, N.C., and Meredith Audrey Williams of Farmville.

Bill is also survived by six cousins and their families, Frank Swinney (Joan) of Portland, Ore., Peter Carrington Williams of Alexandria, Edward Colhoun Suhling (Margieanne) of Lynchburg, Eleanor Suhling Dillard of Summerfield, N.C., Virginia Lemmon Job of Leawood, Kan., and Laura Lemmon Farris of Overland Park, Kan.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, at a memorial service at Court Street United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Richard T. Woodall officiating. The family will greet friends in the Bishop Early Hall and Wesley Guild Room following the service.

The family would like to express special appreciation to Helen Spencer and Michelle East for their loving care and compassion throughout Bill's illness.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Court Street United Methodist Church and Jones Memorial Library.

Tharp Funeral Home and Crematory, Lynchburg, is assisting the family, (434) 237-9424. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tharpfuneralhome.com.