Submitted by: Dan Rich

William E. Swanson

Nov. 14, 1954 - July 19, 2007

South Bend Tribune 7/22/2007
SOUTH BEND - William E. Swanson, 52, passed away at 3 p.m. Thursday, July 19, in his residence after a courageous battle with cancer. William was born on November 14, 1954, in South Bend, and had resided in the Michiana area his lifetime.

On August 30, 1985, in South Bend, he married the former Kathleen A. "Katie" Spangler, who survives. Also surviving are three daughters, Jennifer M., Maggie E. and Sarah J. Swanson, all at home; two brothers, Michael (Cindy) Swanson and Jeff Swanson, both of South Bend; a niece, Rachel Swanson; and a nephew, Zack Swanson. Mr. Swanson was employed as a shipping and receiving manager for DeWald Fluid Power Company in Mishawaka. He was preceded in death by his mother, Janet E. Swanson on June 8, 2001; and by his father, John "Jack" Swanson on July 18, 1999.

Mr. Swanson loved to coach his daughters at St. Jude's in basketball, baseball and volleyball. He loved to golf. Mr. Swanson graduated from Marion High School where he had played football, baseball and track. During his four years of high school, the football team had an over-all record of 38-2. He was co-captain his senior year in football, and was an all-conference NIVC player. He received a full scholarship to Utah State University for football. He was the first freshman to play varsity and soon started as quarterback. After a couple of years, he transferred to Kansas State and played football. While in high school playing for Marion, he was the first athlete to receive the White Sweater having nine varsity letters. The football team was called the "Dirty 30." When Mr. Swanson returned from his college days back to South Bend, he played flag football in the South Bend area, playing for the Basker Bears, Loading Zone and Green Star Café. The family request in lieu of flowers, please make all memorial contributions to The V Foundation for Cancer Research, 106 Towelview Court, Cary, NC 27513.

Visitation hours will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, July 23, in Hanley & Sons "Southwest Chapel" Funeral Home, located at West Ireland Road/Indiana 23, South Bend. A memorial service will be at 8 p.m. Monday. William requested to be cremated and remembered by numerous friends he made during his life journey. The HANLEY & Sons "Southwest Chapel" Funeral Home handled arrangements and services and extend deepest sympathy and heartfelt prayers to the Swanson family.