SEYMOUR
DeGraff “Bill” Billings Swain, 92, of Seymour, Indiana passed away at his home on September 4, 2022. He was born on August 11, 1930, in Seymour to the late Burton F. Swain Jr. and Mary Billings Swain. On October 15, 1955, in Kalamazoo, Michigan he married the love of his life Helen A. Wheeler and she survives.
Bill was a member of the Presbyterian church and was an Elder. He served his country in the United States Army as supply sergeant at T.E.O.C.S. and was honorably discharged. He graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in Forestry. He was part of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity, John Purdue Club and Purdue Foundation Advisory Committee. He also attended Choate School and was part of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 24. He was a director of many organizations; Shelby National Bank, Indiana Hardwood Lumbermen’s Association, and Jackson County United Way (Seymour, Indiana). He was the president of the organizations, National Veneer &Lumber Co (Seymour, Indiana), and Swain Industries (Seymour, Indiana). He was the director and president of Forest Products Research Society. He was the chairman of secondary products committee, Governor’s Conference on Agriculture, and the KCL Corporation, Shelbyville, Indiana. Lastly, he was a member of multiple clubs and organizations, Walnut Association, Fine Hardwoods, Governor’s Conference on Forestry, Seymour Country Club, Seymour Elks Lodge, Three Lakes, Wisconsin Lions Club, Mayflower Society and Jackson County Pioneers Society.
He is survived by his wife, Helen Wheeler Swain; three children, Catherine (Victor) Patrick, Deborah (Scott) Boyd, and Jonathan (Debra) Swain; seven grandchildren, Carrie-Alice Patrick, Ryan Boyd, Anita (Kyle) Boyd Fritz, Ellen Boyd, Meghan Boyd, Jacob Swain and Emily Swain; and two great grandchildren, Claire Fritz and Luke Fritz.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Burton F. Swain Jr. and Mary Billings Swain; and one brother, Burton F. Swain III.
Visitation will be held at Voss and Sons Funeral Service this Sunday, September 11, from 2 to 4 pm, to be followed by a service at 4 pm.
Family request memorial contributions be made to the Purdue University School of Forestry. An online form can be found at bit.ly/BillSwain. You are invited to read Bill’s obituary at www.vossfuneralservice.com, where you may sign the online register book or leave a condolence for the family.