William G. Swarts Sr.

1925 - 2016

William G. Swarts, Sr. 1925 - 2016
Captain, USAF Retired
TOWN OF LEE - William G. Swarts, Sr., age 90, of the Town of Lee, passed away peacefully at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Center, April 22, 2016, with his family at his side.
He was born April 26, 1925, in Dunkirk, NY, a son of the late Harry and Viola Eagan Swarts. Bill was united in marriage to Mildred Matarazzo, on July 25, 1953, in Hoboken, NJ. He proudly served in the United State Air Force from 1943 - 1963, retiring as a Captain. Bill served in the 77th Strategic Recon Squadron, 28th Strategic Recon Group, and the 416th Bomb Wing. He served as an Aircraft Mechanic, Flight Engineer and Air Navigator. He received the World War II Victory Metal and the American Theater Ribbon, as well as other awards of service. After retiring from service, he worked at the former Mohawk Airlines, and was later a partner in The Le Fever Arms Company, in the Town of Lee. Once retired, Bill obtained his private pilot's license and flew his beloved Piper Cub airplane for many years. In his younger years, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. His favorite hobbies were trap shooting and sporting clays. He was the New York Pennsylvania Trap Shooting Champion several times. He was a member of the Lee American Legion Post 1794, Military Officers Association of America, NRA, Camden Rod and Gun Club, Clinton Rod and Gun Club and the Trenton Fish and Game Club.
The family would like to extend deepest appreciation to the following for their compassionate and kind care: Dr. Charles Eldredge, New Hartford, Dr. Mahesh Padmanabhan from the Veterans Clinic of Rome, and the Faxton St.-Lukes Healthcare Rome Dialysis Unit.
Bill was predeceased by his wife, Mildred, in 2011. He is survived by two sons, William G. Swarts, Jr., of Rome, NY and Jon D. and Sandra Swarts, of Columbia, SC; four daughters, Kristin Swarts, and wife, Jacqueline Johnston, of Fayetteville, NY, Jayne Swarts, of Portland, OR, Mary and Craig Carney, of Turin, NY, and Paula Burnor, and fiancé, Jeff Sutter, of Oneida, NY; two sisters, Patricia Babiarz and Marianne Rosenberg, both of Akron, NY; grandchildren, Amanda Cant, Loren Burnor, William Burnor and Adam Burnor, Clarence Case and Claudia Case; and great-granddaughters, Mackenzie and Rylee Cant; along with many nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be held Saturday, at 11:00 AM, at the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street. Burial, with full military honors, will be in Evergreen Cemetery. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home, Friday 4 to 7 PM.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Greater Rome-Utica Chapter of Military Officers of America.
Please offer online tributes or light a candle at www.BarryFuneralHome.com.