Obituary - William Swenson

William Henry Swenson passed away at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Thursday, November 21, 2024, at the age of 63 years. Bill was born the fourth of five children to parents, Ray and Mary Swenson of Bindloss. He was more affectionately known as Billy or Bill, however, his mother often referred to him as “you little crap hound” though everyone knew it as her loving term of endearment for him.

Bill deeply loved growing up on the family farm in Bindloss, Alberta. It continues to be a very special place for him, both for the home as well as for the wonderful community of neighbours and friends that were considered family. Bill attended elementary and junior high schooling in Bindloss; dabbled in high school at Medicine Hat High for a while, followed by a short stint at Oyen High School. It was eventually agreed that his endeavors were better suited to working and he thrived in millwright apprenticeship/work.

Bill lived fully and completely, roaring through life with a contagious smile, sparkling eyes and a quick laugh. His open-hearted personality drew people to him, making friends effortlessly and everywhere. His love of people combined with a huge wild and mischievous streak made for many legendary stories and adventures. Everyone has stories of Bill, and I think it’s fair to say he coloured outside the lines of life. Just ask his family about his brushes with the police or legal system (all snowman events were mischievous in intent).

When Bill was 21, a tragic accident left him paralyzed as a quadriplegic. He spent several very hard months in the hospital under the care of some amazing nurses and doctors who truly cared. His goal at the end of his stay was to come home to the farm. His mom and family were determined to make that possible. With the help of family, many friends and a wonderful community who rallied around to support and help in countless ways, Bill was able to come home and start the process of learning a new life. It wasn’t easy and certainly wasn’t a smooth transition. It was hard but he succeeded spectacularly in the end. Bill’s natural ability with people came through and he made many more friends with many more adventures. The wheelchair was just an extension of Bill, but it didn’t define him.

After several years at home, Bill moved to Medicine Hat where he had the very good fortune to meet his match. Kathy came into his life and soon became the center of his life. He couldn’t have been happier or prouder then when Kathy’s two children became his two children. With their son, Justin and daughter, Alyssa they became a close family, and Bill loved them wholeheartedly and deeply. He loved being the dad that took them to their hockey or skating and all the after-school activities. He didn’t take it for granted and he couldn’t have asked for more. Later on, Justin’s son, Lincoln was born and Bill and Kathy became grandparents for the first time. You couldn’t have had prouder grandparents! Bill was thrilled to be Papa, and when Justin’s daughter, Amelia and Alyssa’s daughter, Adalayne were born, Bill’s life got even brighter as he lit up when they came into the room. Justin’s partner, Kayla and Alyssa’s husband, Josh rounded out their family and Bill couldn’t have been happier or prouder of each of them.

Kathy was not one in a million, she was one in one hundred million. She recognized Bill’s life could get more complicated as he grew older, and together they made the decision to do the things that were important to them. This involved extensive travel to many places, from road trips to Disneyland, to many Caribbean Island excursions as well as to Europe and Hawaii. They discovered they loved cruising after travelling with a very large group of about 50 of Bill’s extended family members. Over the years they went on many more cruises and trips with Bill spending countless hours researching excursions that interested him and finding ways to make it possible. Several of these trips were with siblings, cousins and extended family members.

All of these trips were because of Kathy as she was devoted to caring for him. Her sheer determination enabled Bill to live a very full and wonderful life as she was also the reason he survived many critical episodes in his life.

Bill loved life, whether on two legs or four wheels, he continued to find fun and a reason to laugh. He inspired and made an impact on the lives of his many nieces and nephews, family and friends throughout his life.

Bill will be deeply missed by his wife, Kathy; son, Justin (Kayla); daughter, Alyssa (Josh); grandchildren, Lincoln, Amelia and Adalayne as well as his future granddaughter, who will be born in the spring and will learn all about Papa Bill. He will also be greatly missed by his siblings, Daryl (Sandra Sinclair), Debbie (Dale Ross), Dennis (Kathi) and Diane (Walter Nordhagen) as well as many nieces, nephews and countless friends.

Later this summer Bill will go home to the farm to be with his mom as he wished. A celebration of Bill’s life will be held in Bindloss at that time.