Bill was born in 1933, the son of Ralph and Mildred (Massey) Swan. Bill attended the University of Maryland and the Naval War College. After retiring as a Captain in the U.S.N., he went on to pilot ships in both Hawaii and Alaska. Finally, trading in a life at sea, he followed a lifelong dream of ranching in Montana.
Bill had a thirst for knowledge and a love for learning. He could beat anyone at Trivial Pursuit and always had a crossword or Sudoku puzzle going. He had a passion for baseball, whether it was live, on T.V. or fantasy. Bill was an avid poker player who traveled and was "all in" at many poker tournaments, but what he loved most, was spending time feeding and entertaining family and friends.
Bill is survived by his daughter, Rebecca and son-in-law Shawn Wiesz of Kapaau, Hawaii, sons, Hank Swan and daughter-in-law Darlene of Anchorage Alaska and Ralph Swan and daughter-in-law Ember of Anchorage, Alaska, his seven grandchildren Jordan, Dylan, Caleb, Reeve, Morgan, Haven, and Pierce, and his sister Jane and husband Frank Ratka of Dunwoody, Georgia.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2011 with the family receiving friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Friday, September 30, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. the chapel of Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Burial will follow in the Eastern Montana Veterans Cemetery with full military honors. Refreshments and a time of reflection will follow at the Stevenson & Sons funeral home. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.stevensonandsons.com or mail to P.O. Box 354, Miles City, Montana 59301.
Service Schedule
Family Receive Friends
16:00 to 18:00
Thursday September 29, 2011
Stevenson Funeral Home-Miles City
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00
Friday September 30, 2011
Stevenson Funeral Home-Miles City
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Friday September 30, 2011
Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
259 Cemetery Road
Miles City, MT 59301
Service Schedule
Family Receive Friends
16:00 to 18:00
Thursday September 29, 2011
Stevenson Funeral Home-Miles City
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Funeral Service
11:00
Friday September 30, 2011
Stevenson Funeral Home-Miles City
1717 Main Street
Miles City, MT 59301
Interment with Full Military Honors
Friday September 30, 2011
Eastern Montana State Veterans Cemetery
259 Cemetery Road
Miles City, MT 59301
Share
Candy & Gus Peterson says
We will miss Bill, a remarkable man, who never ceased to amaze us with the adventures he boldly embraced. His friendship and kindness will always be remembered with love. He was a true gentleman and a fine sailor.
Kyle & Gail Shaw says
Bill was amazing,Very nice and a real good neighbor. Our thoughts and prayers are with all the family and Tami and Wade. He will be missed.
Kistia Golie says
I first met Bill while working for the Farm Service Agency In Miles City. I always admire his spunk and tales when he came to the office. Bill was a very fine, honest and remarkable individual to vist with. I am positive he will be deeply misss in the community. My heart goes out to his family, and Wade and Tammy as I know they will miss Bill tremendously! God Bless you all in this time of need.
Janette Krutzfeldt Jones says
I had the pleasure of working with Bill recently when he expanded his ranching operation. I always appreciated his “get to the point” military precision. I enjoyed meeting and getting to know him. Peace to your family during this time.
Swan Family says
Just wanted to say a big thank you to Wade and Tammy (& kids) for the love and kindness you showed Dad all these years. He loved your family very much!
Cinda Paynter says
I got to know Bill while working at Stockman Bank. I’m saddened by his passing. What a great man. He will be missed.
Dee Hudson says
Hey Sports Buddy! I will always remember our Fun Football experience at Lambeau Field. You will be missed. I will continue to keep up with all sports in your honor.
Always,
Dee 🙂
Ginny Lee Ewing Fleming says
Sharing your loss. My sympathy to all. Remembering times past. Went to Senior Prom with
Billy in 1951. Many great years in high school. Billy and Jane lived next to my sister in Price, MD
Kathleen Schwartze says
Hey Becky….so sorry to hear about your dad. You and your family are in my prayers. Thinking of you all
Kathleen Kaaua Schwartze
Ken and Susan Ratcliffe says
Hank and Darlene, we are so sorry to hear about your father. He was a remarkable man. Our prayers are with your family.
Brad & Carol Slama says
Dear Hank… our sincere condolences to you on the passing of your father. (My apologies for this being so late as I just found out.) You have a large family back here in Alaska praying for you, Darlene and the boys. All our best to you.
Capt. Erv Hagerup says
I wanted to pass on my sincere condolenses to Bill’s family.
I am a member of the SE Alaska Pilot, I sailed with Bill off and on since 1980 up until the time he retired. He was always a great shipmate to sail with and I know he really looked forward to his Montana ranching business upon retirement. I didn’t get to see his ranch but certainly he enjoyed his dream after leaving the sea.
Please accept my condolences for Bill’s passing.
John M Baldry says
It was seven years ago that Bill left Ketchikan and retired from the SE Alaska Pilots to follow his bliss -to work his ranch and raise buffalo in Montana. Bill and I first trained together in 1983. We worked closely together for some 21 years. He was a very good friend and a great shipmate and as such we shared a great deal. Bill, Ed and I were nicnamed the Tres Amigos – a moniker we were proud of. I salute his service in the Navy, his work ethic -especially as a pilot, and more importantly his friendship as a person. I will miss Bill. John M Baldry
Alane Stabler says
I remember meeting Bill on the gravel road going to his house. He was driving his little pickup that looked like it had been through a lot! He was always very nice and a great neighbor,I know he will be deeply missed by his family and friends and his special friends Wade and Tammy ,who have made his dream of having a Montana ranch a reality! Your in our thoughts and prayers..
Richard Ruud says
My sincere sympathy to all the family of Bill——I got to know Bill on the poker circut about ten years ago—–Bill was a very good tourneyment player and a fine individual whom did not express a gloat or sarasim to any other player but played to win and if not it was the cards were not there that day and would pleasently leave with a comment of “nice hand and good luck”—–I will always remember my stay last fall with Bill at the ranch for deer hunting—-I was not out there to get a deer but forem;ostly to relax and have a good time with your dad—–boy could he cook and we would visit while the meal was being cooked and have a few nips——–Our trip to Las Vegas in June was equally enjoyable time of playing cards–eating out and sight seeing the Vegas strip——–Bill has enourmous love of his family and ranch foreman Wade and Tammy along with their children. Bill will be missed as a friend and a all around very nice person to the community and country