December 12, 1932 - April 14, 2021
Wilbert Glenn Swieso, 88, passed away peacefully on April 14, 2021.
Will was born in Greenwood, Wisconsin on December 12, 1932 to Walter and Effie Swieso. He was the youngest of four children. Will enjoyed high school and was drafted into the Army during the Korean War. However, a car accident injury kept him from deployment overseas, so he spent his military time stationed at Fort Ord. While inspecting C-rations as a military food inspector in Modesto, he met his wife, Wanda. They married in 1955. Later, taking advantage of the GI Bill, they moved to Fresno, where he attended Fresno State College and received a business degree. He went on to get a Masters of Financial Services from American College in Pennsylvania. Through the years in the insurance business, Will worked for Mutual Benefit, Aetna, and as a Brokerage Agency Manager at Principal Financial for over 20 years. He greatly enjoyed the business; clients, traveling valley roads, continuing education courses, and incentive trips. Never really going into retirement, he finished his career with his own company Inland Insurance Inc. from 1997-2020.
Will was an avid member of the community. He volunteered with The Y’s Men's Club, serving the YMCA with Christmas Tree Fundraising. He spent many work weekends at Lake Sequoia YMCA Camps creating memories with other members and their families. Will donated over 10 gallons of blood in 83 donations. He had a rare blood type and saved 249 lives. He was a long time member of Grace Methodist Church, donating his time and plenty of materials to repurposing the old sanctuary into a gymnasium with hardwood floors. His hobbies included woodworking, auctions, yard sales, and collecting materials to use later. He loved attending Bulldog Basketball games and was a season ticket holder for more than 40 years. He enjoyed driving his many Porsches, rescuing strays, and the SPCA.
He never forgot his family and home state of Wisconsin, going back to visit and spending time at Fox Lake. He went to all of his high school class reunions including a big celebration for the 50th. Will was an incredible writer and kept correspondence with his relatives throughout the states. He was famous in the family for his clever poems in birthday cards, letting his children and grandchildren know how much they were loved.
Will is predeceased by his wife of 65 years Wanda Swieso 1932-2020, and all of his siblings and their spouses.
Will is survived by son Michael and his wife DeeDee, son Craig and his wife Feria, grandchildren: Jordan and her husband Rick Lyons, Jason, Rose and her spouse Sierra Nishizaki, Sloan, Frank and his wife Stephanie Montevecchi, and great grandchildren: Griffin and Rowan Nishizaki.
His unique, generous, and patriarchal spirit will be missed.
A Funeral Service for Wilbert will be held Friday, May 14, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at Boice Funeral Home,
308 Pollasky Avenue, Clovis, California 93612.
Following the Funeral Service will be a committal service at 11:00 a.m. at Clovis Cemetery, 305 North Villa Avenue, Clovis, California 93612.
Serving as \allbearers are Mike Swieso, Jason Swieso, Sloane Swieso, Frank Montevecchi, Rick Lyons, Leonard Valero and Craig Swieso.
In Lieu of Flowers, contributions in Wilbert's memory may be made to Central California Blood Bank , 4343 West Herndon Avenue, Fresno, California 93722; and Central California SPCA, 103 South Hughes Avenue, Fresno, California 93706.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.boicefuneralhome.com for the Swieso family.
