William E. Swan of Wagontown

William E. Swan, 93 of Wagontown and formerly of West Chester passed away May 22, 2018.

Bill was born in Ogdensburg, NY and grew up in West Philadelphia. He was the eldest son of the late Grace Clark Swan of Ogdensburg NY, and the late Wilem Zwaan of Den Helder, Netherlands who immigrated and Americanized his name to William Swan.

Bill is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Ruth Margaret Grant Swan to whom he was totally devoted: their three children, William Rens, Gail Lorraine (Don Pippin), and Lynda Ruth (Haim BarNoy), he is also survived by his seven grandchildren, Amy, Rachel, William, Colin, David, Anastasia and Talia, his great granddaughter, Suzanna and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded by his sister Ruth and two brothers’ Rens and Ralph.

Bill graduated from West Philadelphia High School and Drexel University where he received a degree in Engineering.

He was a competitive swimmer and avid motorcyclist. He served in the Navy during WWII where he made important contributions calibrating aircraft equipment.

He was active in the Youth Fellowship at Wharton Church in Philadelphia where he met the love of his life, Ruth Grant. They married and settled in Springfield Delaware County.

He was an engineer for Scott Paper. He loved the aeronautics industry, and worked for aircraft pioneer Frank Piasecki before starting his own company, Container Research Corporation in 1956 with his late partner Stanley E. Rines, Sr. Bill was a leader in the industry, and was known for his integrity. He genuinely cared for the people he worked with and offered support and guidance whenever he could.

He enjoyed motorcycles, old cars, boating in Ocean city, NJ and on the Chesapeake. He was a pilot; He was a 50 year member of the Springfield-Hanby Lodge of Free masons, The LuLu Shriners and The Scottish Rite. He and his wife enjoyed square-dancing with the Liberty squares. He sang tenor with his brother Ralph in the Bryn Mawr “Mainliners” Barbershop chorus for over 25 yrs. as well as the quartets “Elder Statesmen” and “The Newtone Squires”.

He was a member of the Brandywine bicycle club and enjoyed biking with his brother Rens and cousin Al. Scuba Diving with daughter Lynda, son Bill, and Cape May Vacations with Son Bill and Daughter Gail.

Bill had a full and active life, but by far his greatest joy was to be with his family. He was selfless and strong, brilliant and humble, and eternally kind... He quietly helped others without any expectation of gain for himself. He touched the lives of everyone he met and always saw the good in every situation.

Family and friends are invited to his visitation on Friday, June 1, 2018 9:30 AM-11:00 AM at Willistown United Methodist Church, 6051 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square, PA, followed by his Life Celebration at 11:00AM. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in William’s name to: Heartspring, Development Dept. 8700 E. 29th St. N. Wichita, KS 67226, Rail-to-Trails conservancy, Duke Ellington Bldg. 2121 Ward Court, N.W. 5th Floor, Washington, DC, 20037, or MOVEN-LEARN, 375 Coffroath Road, Coatesville,PA 19320.