William Thomas Swinney

William Thomas Swinney went to be with the Lord on Thursday afternoon, October 27, 2022, at the age of 81.

William was born on January 16, 1941 to William Martin (Buster) and Dolly Lee Swinney in Wichita Falls, Texas. He spent his youth attending school in Wichita Falls, getting into shenanigans with his siblings, and began working at the age of 11.

William joined the United States Navy in November of 1959.  While serving his country, he participated in Operation Dominic, the Cuban Missile Crisis Blockade, and was deployed in the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War era. He spent most of his naval career on the U.S.S. Fort Marion (LSD-22).  William, a proud veteran, was honorably discharged in October of 1963.

After serving his country, William returned to Texas where he married Alice Pledger and settled in Fort Worth, Texas.  In 1965 he became a proud father to his only child, Debra Kay. William spent the next couple of decades raising his daughter and working as a grocer at his brother’s grocery store in Fort Worth. He eventually left the grocery business to work for Joshua Independent School District until his retirement.

A bit later in life, William met and married Patricia Heise and settled into a quiet life enjoying time with his family.  It was around this time, William came to know the Lord and joined Marystown Baptist Church. William was a proud member of the church and served as the Men’s Sunday School Teacher, Trustee, and church elder. William had many hobbies throughout his life including gardening, BBQ, shooting, fishing, and raising chickens, dogs, fish, and goats. William was a modest man who loved his family with all his heart and the Lord with all his soul.

William was preceded in death by his parents William (Buster) and Dolly Swinney; his daughter Debra Eller; his brother Charles Swinney; his sisters Lois Burton and Kathy Peters; and his wife Patricia Swinney.

William is survived by his grandson Royce Eller, wife Mackenzi and their son Carter; his granddaughter Rebeka Labeau, husband Branden and their children Cameron, Jesse, Sarah, and Tommy; his siblings Larry and wife Jean Swinney, Johnny and wife Sue Swinney, Benny Swinney, and Debby and husband Kent Teague; his step-son, Greg Iadonisi, wife Maria, and their daughter Holly; his son-in-law Roy Eller; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.