Rev. William L. Swafford
Published 9:06 am Tuesday, January 28, 2025
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Rev. William L. Swafford, 96, of Talbott, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025.
William proudly enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving during the Cold War era. After serving in the Navy, he attended Belmont College and then the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. William served as a Southern Baptist minister for 70 years, was a member of Talbott Baptist Church and served for many years on several committees at the Tennessee Baptist Convention.
He loved woodworking and was a talented and accomplished artist. He spent much time volunteering in many of the area’s senior centers. William was a very loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to many.
He was preceded in his homegoing by his wife, Yvonne Malone Swafford; parents, James and Lestial Dooley Swafford; and brother, Carlton D. Swafford.
He will be greatly missed by his son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Michelle Swafford; daughter, Patrice Swafford Welch; grandchildren, Ashley Swafford, Julia Welch Riddle, Lauren Burress and Patrick Welch; several great-grandchildren; a host of nieces and nephews; special friend, Charlie Roesser; and many other dear friends.
The funeral service will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 3, at Fielden Funeral Home in New Market. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. prior to the service. Family and friends will meet at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 4, at East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery–John Sevier for a service with full military honors provided by the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard.
Fielden Funeral Home is honored to serve the Swafford family.