Bill Swan

William Hale Swan passed to the next life on Friday, September 16th, 2022 at 6:42am. He was surrounded by his loving family and many of the wonderful staff members of Spring Arbor of Albemarle.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00am Saturday, September 24th, 2022 at First Baptist Church of Mount Gilead. A reception will follow the service in the church fellowship hall.

Bill was born September 21, 1940 in Albany, New York to the late Ruth Ellen Kinsland Swan and Robert Edward Swan. The Swan family lived for a short time in New York before moving to Sanford, NC, to join in the family timber business.

William “Billy” grew as a happy little boy in an Albemarle neighborhood with loving parents and close neighbors. Ruth Ellen and Bob were excitedly looking forward to the birth of a sibling for Billy, who was 7 at the time. When time came for the baby to be born Ruth Ellen suffered a cerebral hemorrhage and suddenly there would be no mother or sibling for Billy.

Bill had many aunts and uncles who loved and cared for him for the next years. He went from Atlanta to Sanford to Ansonville, Pennsylvania, to Germany…where he lived with his aunt and uncle…who was head of the American schools in Keiserslautern.

Soon his father made arrangements for him to live with the Sisters of Mercy at Saint Leos Military Academy in Belmont.

Bill went on to become a mature young man. He graduated from Albemarle High School in 1958. Wingate Junior College (later Wingate University) in 1960 and Catawba College, Salisbury in 1962.

On August 19, 1962, he married his childhood sweetheart, Nancy Smith, and they soon welcomed a son, Edward Ray Swan, and a daughter Ellen Ann Swan. The Swan family cherish many wonderful memories and enjoyed many activities with their adventurous father.

Bill Swan was a successful business man in the timber business and enjoyed life to the fullest. He befriended people in all walks of life and was a positive influence on many people young and old. His many hobbies including hiking the Appalachian Trail, swimming and teaching swimming, coaching Little League baseball, running marathons, bass fishing, golf (with no claims to becoming pro!!!) and many other activities too numerous to name. His woodworking was most appreciated and beautiful.

Bill was also dedicated to the First Baptist Church of Mount Gilead where he served in many capacities including Sunday School Director, Deacon, Sunday School teacher, choir member, building committee chairman and general entertainer.

Bill Swan served on many Boards of Directors in Montgomery County. Southern National Bank (later Truist) for many years, McRae Industries for 14 years, Montgomery Memorial Hospital, the Mount Gilead School Board and others. He was a member of the Mount Gilead Lions Club for 50 years and served as the Horse Show Chairman (the clubs main fundraiser) for many years. Bill was recognized as a 50 year master mason by Blackmere Lodge #127.

In 1975 the Montgomery County Jaycees presented Bill with The Distinguished Service Award, the highest given by a Jaycee chapter. The winner is selected from nominations made by citizens throughout the county.

Bill served for many years as a trustee for Wingate University. He was most pleased and honored to be designated a Lifetime Trustee. He has many friends through the years as an active trustee and enjoyed seeing the growth of the university.

Bill Swan leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife of 60 years, Nancy. Also surviving: his son and friend, Eddie (wife Denise), his talented daughter Ellen, and his four precious grandchildren: Ellis Cole Misenheimer, Samantha Jo Swan Biles (John), Melissa Renee Swan Brewer (Ethan) and Master Sergeant Andrew Ray Swan (Alexandra) of the United States Air Force.

Also surviving are great-grandchildren, Nick Lowe, Jace Biles, Emmett Biles, Bella Swan, Ana Marie(Rosebud) Swan and Mae Elise Swan.

He has many family members who have passed before him, including a brother, Donald Wayland Swan. He is survived by his brother Robert Edward Swan, Jr.,(Pam) and their family.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church, PO Box 207, Mount Gilead, NC  27306 or Alzheimer’s Research or the Humane Society.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bill Swan, please visit our floral store.