Obituary for William J. "Bill" Swasey
SOUTHAMPTON, NY William Joseph Swasey, 94, former resident of Waterford and the absolute most loving husband to the late Joan Southwick Swasey for 57 years, rejoined her on January 25, 2023. Bill and Joan were married June 21, 1953. The inseparable couple moved from Waterford to the Hamptons in 1992 to be near their grandson, Lawton Wakefield and daughter Cindy Lou Wakefield. A truly devoted husband, father, and grandfather, he clearly adored his family. Born in Troy, NY, then residing in Waterford, William was the son of the late Lula Sherwood Swasey and William A. Swasey.
He was active in the U.S. Naval Reserve during his high school days from May 23, 1947 and continued until his honorable discharge on November 19, 1954 due to infantile paralysis. Being a resident of the Village of Waterford for over 60 years, graduating from Waterford-Halfmoon High School and a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, he was known as Sergeant, or Bill and he was active in various community organizations. He helped keep Waterford safe serving as Sergeant of Waterford Police Department from January 1, 1974 until May 24, 1982 and a Lieutenant in J.W. Ford Hose Company active from March 1949 to 1992. Being of service in the Police and Fire Companies were his joy.
Bill, when relocating to East Quogue in 1992, made it his priority to join the East Quogue Fire Department and was an active firefighter and proud member of the Fire Police and emeritus member since 2015.
Bill served as president of Waterford Youth Council and coached both basketball and baseball. In 1950 he worked in Behr-Manning Corp. for two years in the sales promotion department heading up the Trade Literature Department.. He served as assistant Boy Scout Master of St. Mary’s Troop #131, member of American Legion Post #235 in Waterford, N.Y., as well as member of Troy Elks Lodge #14. At the age of 24 in 1952 he began working as a marketing technician in General Electric of Waterford Silicone Products Division for 38 years, retiring in January, 1990.
Bill has always been the greatest father, and along with his wife Joan, made life for his family magical and memorable. He was a most loving father to his son, David W. Swasey who is married to Barbara Kalahiki Swasey residing in San Jose, Ca. and Cindy Lou Wakefield of Southampton, NY. Bill was proud grandfather to Lawton Wakefield, Megan Biebel and Tyler Swasey, great grandfather to Mason and Mia Swasey and Conner Biebel. This March his grandson Lawton and his wife Jenny Gardner Wakefield are expecting an additional great granddaughter to add to William’s legacy. Geoffrey Gloak, who has always been considered immediate family survives William, with his wife Kristi Berner and their daughter Gemma Gloak. Surviving as well and will keep Bill near to his heart, close family friend Rick Friedman. Sister-in-laws Marion Muir and Shirley Naples survive Bill and gave Bill much love and support after his loving wife passed.
After retirement, William and Joan traveled often, cherishing holding hands and walking barefoot on beaches in the Hamptons, Florida and Cape Cod and watching sunsets together. He 1955, Bill sent a letter to his wife, Joan, after the birth of David stating that she made all his dreams come true and completed him. We are comforted knowing that they are together again and complete.
Funeral services will be at noon on Monday from the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad Street, Waterford and at 12:30 pm. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church. Entombment be in Memory’s Garden, Colonie, NY.
Relatives and friends may visit with his family on Monday from 10 am - noon, prior to the funeral
He was active in the U.S. Naval Reserve during his high school days from May 23, 1947 and continued until his honorable discharge on November 19, 1954 due to infantile paralysis. Being a resident of the Village of Waterford for over 60 years, graduating from Waterford-Halfmoon High School and a communicant of St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, he was known as Sergeant, or Bill and he was active in various community organizations. He helped keep Waterford safe serving as Sergeant of Waterford Police Department from January 1, 1974 until May 24, 1982 and a Lieutenant in J.W. Ford Hose Company active from March 1949 to 1992. Being of service in the Police and Fire Companies were his joy.
Bill, when relocating to East Quogue in 1992, made it his priority to join the East Quogue Fire Department and was an active firefighter and proud member of the Fire Police and emeritus member since 2015.
Bill served as president of Waterford Youth Council and coached both basketball and baseball. In 1950 he worked in Behr-Manning Corp. for two years in the sales promotion department heading up the Trade Literature Department.. He served as assistant Boy Scout Master of St. Mary’s Troop #131, member of American Legion Post #235 in Waterford, N.Y., as well as member of Troy Elks Lodge #14. At the age of 24 in 1952 he began working as a marketing technician in General Electric of Waterford Silicone Products Division for 38 years, retiring in January, 1990.
Bill has always been the greatest father, and along with his wife Joan, made life for his family magical and memorable. He was a most loving father to his son, David W. Swasey who is married to Barbara Kalahiki Swasey residing in San Jose, Ca. and Cindy Lou Wakefield of Southampton, NY. Bill was proud grandfather to Lawton Wakefield, Megan Biebel and Tyler Swasey, great grandfather to Mason and Mia Swasey and Conner Biebel. This March his grandson Lawton and his wife Jenny Gardner Wakefield are expecting an additional great granddaughter to add to William’s legacy. Geoffrey Gloak, who has always been considered immediate family survives William, with his wife Kristi Berner and their daughter Gemma Gloak. Surviving as well and will keep Bill near to his heart, close family friend Rick Friedman. Sister-in-laws Marion Muir and Shirley Naples survive Bill and gave Bill much love and support after his loving wife passed.
After retirement, William and Joan traveled often, cherishing holding hands and walking barefoot on beaches in the Hamptons, Florida and Cape Cod and watching sunsets together. He 1955, Bill sent a letter to his wife, Joan, after the birth of David stating that she made all his dreams come true and completed him. We are comforted knowing that they are together again and complete.
Funeral services will be at noon on Monday from the Philip J. Brendese Funeral Home, 133 Broad Street, Waterford and at 12:30 pm. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church. Entombment be in Memory’s Garden, Colonie, NY.
Relatives and friends may visit with his family on Monday from 10 am - noon, prior to the funeral