William Swanson

My father passed away in his sleep early this morning at the age of 94. William "Bill" Swanson was born in rural poverty in central Illinois in 1925, the oldest of seven brothers and sisters, all of whom spent a good portion of their childhood being shuttled in and out of foster care. He fudged his birthdate to join the Army at age 17, and then fought in the frontlines of the bloody battle of Okinawa during WWII. After the war, he married the love of his life – he and mom would ultimately celebrate 72 wedding anniversaries together. In the 1950s, he supported his growing family, which frequently included his younger teenage brothers and sisters whom he “rescued” from foster care, by driving trucks and supplementing his income by officiating local high school football and basketball games. He eventually graduated into sales, and was later elected as township assessor six consecutive times, serving in that position for 24 years. He was selected to be an NFL ref when he was only 38 years old, officiating for 22 seasons and was chosen to work Super Bowls XI and XVI. He was himself a lifelong athlete who had boxed in the army, played semi-pro football after the war, and was a star fast-pitch softball player; in his later years, golf became his passion . . . he had an astounding ten documented holes-in-one between the ages of 60 and 70. But his real legacy is far more profound. Four children, ten grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren, and three great great grandchildren carry not only his DNA, but also the indelible lessons he demonstrated throughout his life. Specifically, he taught us all by his remarkable example that responsibility, honesty, loyalty to one’s family, persistence, and unswerving commitment to achievement can overcome any prior adversity or current obstacle standing in the way of accomplishment. Rest in peace, Dad . . . yours was a life