He was born on Oct. 11, 1946 in Eugene to Vern and Virginia Osgood Swayze. Bill was raised and attended schools in Hermiston, graduating from Hermiston High School in the class of 1964. Bill was united in marriage to Beverly Newton on Sept. 21, 1968 in Pendleton. He worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a signalman for over 40 years. Bill was a Babe Ruth baseball volunteer for 25 years serving as the assistant commissioner at both the local and state level. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bowling, the mountains, sports, and coached basketball.
He is survived by his wife, Bev Swayze, Hermiston; daughter, Brenda Loftus and husband Tom, Lumberton, Texas; sons, William Stacy Swayze, Hermiston, Travis Swayze and wife Kimberly, Prosser, Wash.; sister, Sharon Vance, Dayton, Wash.; grandchildren, Daven, Shelby, Thomas, Kassandra, Kyla, and Trevor; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration gathering will be held on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Pheasant Café Banquet Room, 149 E. Main St., Hermiston.
Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
