Billy Ray Swing, Sr.

Billy Ray Swing Sr. was born May 28th, 1937, in Johnson Township, Indiana. He was the sixth child born to his parents, Alfred Lee and Minnie Harvey Swing.

Billy attended the Decker School in Johnson Township and spent his childhood, and teen years, working melon fields and various other jobs in and around southern Indiana and Illinois. Billy and Mary Ethel Junod, married on February 12th, 1956, and started their family in Vincennes, IN. After accepting a job with the C&EI Railroad in Chicago, Billy, Mary Ethel, and Billy Jr., moved to the south Chicago suburb of Harvey in 1956 where he started his railroading career. He remained in the Chicagoland area until 1998, when he retired to Ocala, FL.

Billy was a kind, loving, caring, and forgiving father, who cherished his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and his many nieces and nephews. Spending time with his family was what brought him the greatest joy in his life.

Billy was beloved by family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and countless people in need, who he faithfully, tirelessly, and generously helped throughout his entire life. He also had a big heart, and a special love, for all his furry, four-legged friends. Sadly, Billy was in pain for most of his life, but he pushed through that pain and put others' well-being and needs before his own.

Billy loved fishing, boating, woodworking, playing cards, basketball, baseball, swimming at the pool and going to the gym to workout. He was a lifelong Chicago Bulls fan and later adopted the Orlando Magic as his home team.

In his final days, Billy felt, heard, and received love and care from all five of his children who were faithfully at his bedside day and night. Billy's peaceful and painless homegoing, occurred Monday morning June 27th, at Cate's House Hospice in Ocala, Florida. Billy was immediately welcomed into Glory by his Heavenly Father, Christ his Savior, and he was thrilled to be reunited with his beloved Jo, Billy's wife of 15 years.

Billy's legacy lives on, in, and through his five children: Billy Swing Jr. (Cheryl), Beth Swing, Kathleen White (Jeff), Steve Swing (Vicki), Jane Hillis (Darrin), his ten grandchildren: Matt Swing, Ryan Swing, Kevin Hanink, Alyssa Stroner, Sara McLeod, Alexandra Hanink, Jamie Standley, Gretchen Campbell, Haley Jones, Luke Hillis, his 17 great-grandchildren, his sisters Anna Marie Cooper and  Barbara Swing Thompson, from Vincennes, IN and his special friend, Mary Saulsbury Pfeiffer of Ocala, FL.

For further information, please refer to Billy's Facebook page. Also in lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made to:

Marion County Animal Services
5701 SE 66th ST.
Ocala, FL 34480
https://ipn.paymentus.com/rotp/mcas
352-671-8700

Cates House Hospice
9505 SW 110th Street
Ocala, FL 34481
https://www.hospiceofmarion.com/donate/
352-291-5100