Jesse William "Bill" Swafford, 97, of Hutchinson, died April 16, 2016, at Thorne Care Center. He was born May 20, 1918, in Hutchinson, to Jesse Walter and Ollie May Belle (Bird) Swafford.

Bill graduated from Hutchinson High School in 1936. He was employed by Dillon Mercantile from 1936 until he entered the Navy in 1942. Before WWII he and his brother, Walt Swafford, operated Maple St. Market. After WWII, Bill was produce manager for Frank Hart Food Stores.

Bill served in the Navy as a boilermaker from January 1942 to October 1945, aboard the U.S.S. Vulcan. He was a member of American Legion Lysle Rishel Post #68. He owned and operated Swafford Food Store from 1949 to 1972, and then Swafford Picture Framing and Little Gallery from 1972 until 2012. Bill was a member of 10th Avenue United Methodist Church, where he served on the Board of Administration, was a Sunday School Superintendent and teacher, played and managed the softball team, and managed the boys' basketball team. He was chairman of the committee that organized church softball in Hutchinson. He managed and played for Central State Bank's softball team, Recreation Pepsi softball team and Davis-Child softball team. Bill umpired softball games for both church and recreation ball for many years. He also served on the Board of Directors for Hutchinson Art Association.

He married Sara Christine Altland on Dec. 9, 1945. She died Sept. 23, 2006. Survivors include: son, Dr. William S. Swafford and wife Laura of Arrington, Tenn.; daughter, Sheri S. Rosenberg and husband Scott of Tacoma, Wash.; grandchildren, Camy McArdle and husband Cliff of Arrington, Tenn., Kyle Swafford and wife Katie of Franklin, Tenn., Chris Lowry and wife Tara, Leavenworth; seven great-grandchildren; numerous loving nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by: his parents; wife; brother, Walter A. Swafford; and sister, Alta Hammar.

Funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 19, 2016, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Pastor Richard Brooks officiating. Burial will follow in Fairlawn Burial Park, Hutchinson, with military honors being conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with the family to receive friends from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday at Elliott Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hutchinson REC Foundation Softball Program Scholarships or the Music and Memory Program at Wesley Towers, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.