William G. Swanson

William “Bill” G. Swanson, 91, Overland Park, KS, died peacefully on April 4, 2020 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. His visitation will begin 9:30am followed by a memorial mass at 10:30am, Saturday, August 8th at Church of the Holy Cross, 8311 W. 93rd Street, Overland Park, Kansas 66212. The inurnment will be held 10:30am, Monday, August 10th at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 7601 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri 64138.

Bill was born on December 23, 1928, the second child of George and Helen Swanson. Bill has 4 siblings, 2 brothers, and 2 sisters. After graduating from East High School, he entered the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged from the Marines on September 17, 1949. He began his college education at Park College and graduated from Finlay Engineering College with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. He was employed by the Gas Service Company from 1952 until his retirement in 1988.

Bill met the love of his life, Nadine, when he returned from the Marines. He was visiting a good friend at the Gas Service Company, where Nadine also worked. All it took was one look, and he was hooked. She was too — he had on his Marine uniform! They loved to tell how their first date was to a track meet. They were married on July 5, 1952 and have 5 children. They lived a full life and Bill often said he was the most blessed man on the earth. Bill shared his birthday with his sister Jo Ann who was born several years after him and then again in 2016 when his great-granddaughter Annabelle was born.

He exceeded at sharing. He shared his time with his family, friends, and neighbors, always available if you needed to talk, or a ride to church, or a meal when you were feeling under the weather. He shared his talents. Bill could fix almost anything. When he wasn’t at work, he was often at his workbench fixing something, or at someone’s house helping them fix something. Another talent was cooking, especially soups. He made a delicious vegetable beef soup, and he always made enough to share. Bill also shared his treasure. He gave generously to whoever needed it. It could be money, or a car or food. He understood God’s blessings were to be shared and he willingly did that with love. He and Nadine served those in need at St. Mary’s Food Kitchen every month with their parish for over 28 years. Memorial contributions may be given in his memory to St. Mary's Food Kitchen, P.O. Box 17-2046, Kansas City, Kansas 66101 or online at https://www.stmaryfoodkitchen.org/waystohelp

Bill loved to travel. Not only did he love to see new places - he loved being together as a family. Many of the family vacations included his parents. Even if he had to rent a bigger vehicle, everyone who wanted to go got to go. One lasting memory was a very hot car ride from KC to California in a station wagon with 4 adults and 5 children. Table Rock Lake was the vacation destination for many years. Boating, fishing, cooking, and game playing with parents, and grandparents have given the family some of their best vacation memories. Bill and Nadine were fortunate to see most of the United States. They also traveled to Canada, Mexico, cruised the Caribbean and vacationed in Russia, Ireland and England.

Bill loved sports and excelled at many of them. In his youth, he played baseball and softball. In 1972 he was recruited by a team of guys 25 years younger to be their pitcher for their slow pitch softball team. He played handball and racquetball during his lunch hour and rumor is that he was usually the winner of those matches. He and Nadine were in a bowling league and he loved golf. He played several days a week after his retirement and often shot his age. He also loved major league sports and kept up with the sports world for most of his life. Bill enjoyed reading (especially history), puzzles - jigsaw and crossword, and tried never to miss the latest episode of Jeopardy.

Bill taught his family how to love by his example. By showing his love for his parents and siblings, he taught the valuable lesson of loving family. He helped organize family gatherings at holidays and also summer breakfast picnics or maybe just a phone call if he hadn’t heard from them for a while. When Bill planned vacations with his own children, he also invited his parents. This lesson was not lost on his children. As Bill and Nadine aged, they joined their children on many vacations. Some were visiting historic sites, others were to see Branson at Christmas and enjoy the entertainment, and some were just to see the sunset over the ocean or sitting at the pier watching the boats sail by.

The most valuable lesson Bill taught his children was how to love your spouse. For the past 10 years, he cared for Nadine as her dementia gradually worsened. When she could no longer be left alone, he gave up golf to be home with her and be her caretaker. As her disease progressed their daughter, Karen, and son-in-law, Dave, moved in to help Bill care for Nadine so she could remain at home. Karen and Dave continued to care for Bill so that he could also remain home until the last few weeks of his life.

Bill & Nadine’s devotion to each other was an inspiration, not only for their children and grandchildren but for anyone who knew them. Bill was ready to join Nadine on the journey to heaven and in God’s perfect timing, he only had to wait 77 days.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Bob Swanson and Jerry Swanson; his sister, Jo Ann Porterfield; his daughter, Diane Dickson, and his wife, Nadine. He is survived by his sister, Sue McKiddy; his children, Patti (Bill) Geckles, Bill (Vicky) Swanson, Karen (Dave) Gregory, David (Katy) Swanson; 12 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.