William Swartz

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William "Bill" Swartz. Bill passed away at home on Monday, January 13th, 2025, at the age of 81, less than a week after his beloved wife, Cherry. Bill and Cherry's joint memorial service will be held on Friday, January 24, 2025, 2:00 p.m. at FRENCH-Lomas. For those not able to attend, please visit the obituary for Bill at www.frenchfunerals.com and click on the link for live stream.

Bill was born on Tuesday, March 31st, 1943, in Toledo, Ohio, to Nathan Swartz and Eva Marie Williamson. In 1947, the family moved to Trout Lake, Washington, where Bill spent many of his formative years and where he learned to love the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. In 1957, the family moved to Seattle where Bill graduated from Ballard High School in 1961. Bill excelled in school and attended the University of Washington to study mathematics. During the summers he worked back at the Trout Lake Ranger station fighting forest fires. This is where he rescued a Golden Retriever puppy after a fire, which he named "King." Bill was never without a dog again. Bill graduated in 1966 with a Master's degree in mathematics and quickly moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico in his brother Larry's Corvair, along with King, for an employment opportunity at Sandia National Laboratories. He greatly enjoyed his work at SNL and had a very long, satisfying career there. He worked on many classified projects (that he couldn't tell us about), and often expressed his love for his work, friends, and colleagues - so much so that even after he retired, he returned to provide part-time consultation.

After a few years of hunting and fishing with King, Bill met Cherry Beddo, and his life was never the same. Bill discovered there was much more to life than hunting and work. The two married on Saturday, June 6, 1969, and shared a beautiful life filled with love, adventure, and cherished memories. Bill and Cherry built a beautiful house in Sandia Heights, and then an even more beautiful house on the Rio Grande River in Rio Rancho. They loved their homes - Bill especially appreciated Cherry's eye for home décor and style - and the two worked together to make them warm and welcoming places for friends and family.

After retirement, Cherry and Bill embraced the joys of travel and explored the world together. Bill often excitedly shared that the two went on 35 cruises and traveled to all seven continents.

Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in 2014, just three years after his sister Darla. Parkinson's slowed Bill down and didn't allow him and Cherry to travel as extensively as they would have liked. Instead, they purchased a cabin in Jemez, New Mexico where they could both enjoy the pleasure and peacefulness of the mountain surroundings.

Bill was preceded in death, by 6 days, by the love of his life, Cherry, after 54 years of marriage. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Nathan and Eva Swartz; his brothers, Richard Swartz and Larry Swartz; and his sister Darla Murphy. He is survived by his brother, Gary Swartz and sister, Leah Richardson. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Bill had a great passion for life, his family, and his work. He loved everything about New Mexico. Bill's unique and dry sense of humor made all of those around him feel welcome and accepted. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and community.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bill's honor to a local animal shelter or towards Parkinson's research.