William "Bill" Swears

William (Bill) Benjamin Swears was born September 21st , 1936 to Clifford and Edna (Waters) Swears. Bill grew up in Big Rapids, Michigan, where his father was a barber. The family was so poor that his father sometimes had to cut someone’s hair so that his mother could buy bread and milk. His father would cut his hair but Bill was frequently kicked out of the chair when a paying customer came in. Bill liked to play by the river and to ice skate.

Bill graduated in 1954 from Big Rapids High school. He hadn’t intended to go on to college, but adults close to him encouraged him to enroll. A family friend applied for a scholarship on his behalf. His uncle Glenn paid for his books. He went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce from Ferris Institute (Now Ferris State University) and a Masters Degree in Education from Michigan State University.

Beginning in 1958, Bill worked at Rodney B. Wilson High School in St Johns, teaching typing and Bookkeeping I and II. He coached football, basketball and tennis over the years. Bill became Assistant Principal in 1969 and Principal in 1976 at St John’s High School. He retired in 1994 but he had a life-long passion for education.

Bill had two children, Dana and Jeff, with his first wife, Sandra Casselberry. He also had 3 grandchildren, their spouses, and a great-granddaughter, who was born just days before his death.

Bill loved to read. His morning ritual of drinking coffee and reading the newspaper was something he continued until the last days of his life. Bill often cut out articles on education to support his ideas. He also loved fiction such as Clive Cussler, John Grisham, and David Baldacci and often recommended books to friends. As soon as he retired he got a new library card.

In 1977, Bill married Beth Schrauben, to whom he was married to for 37 happy years. Bill and Beth shared many interests, such as golfing, traveling, and coaching. He was a “silent” coaching partner with Beth for a number of years, and coached with her for two years after they retired. Over the years, they visited place such as Germany, Japan, and Ireland. They took cruises to Alaska, The Panama Canal, and down the Danube River in Germany, Austria, and Hungary.

Bill and Beth shared a love of golfing. They loved golfing at The Emerald Golf Course in St Johns. They also went on golfing trips to Northern Michigan and Florida with friends, the Foreback’s, the Boog’s and Bailey’s. Wintering in Cypress Lakes, Florida, Bill met people from all over the country. He enjoyed their stories and they shared many laughs together. Bill had many golfing buddies over the years, and he especially enjoyed his Monday Morning Golf League. He met his future golf partner, Bob Foreback, when Bob subbed for Bill’s partner. Thus began a partnership that lasted from 1969 to 2011.

Although he bought the High School’s first computers, Bill avoided using any form of technology. He enjoyed using the results of it to satisfy his endless curiosity, as long as someone else brought it to him!

Bill had many friends over the years, that included faculty members and former students. He kept in touch with many of them throughout his life. Bill enjoyed his life full of wonderful, interesting people, and we enjoyed him. He truly was “Joking Around ‘Til The End”.

For Dad

My dad is prose and I am poetry.

So often when I was growing up

were these two at cross purposes

that it seemed we spoke different languages.

If he spoke apples

I was sure to speak oranges.

If I spoke hot

He spoke cold

But gradually over the years

the prose entwined with the poetry

until all that was left

was the Language of Love.

--Dana L. Swears 6/8/07

William “Bill” B. Swears, age 77, passed away on August 10, 2014. He was born on September 21, 1936 in Morley, Michigan, the son of Clifford and Edna (Waters) Swears. He married Beth Schrauben in Belding, Michigan on June 23, 1977 and she survives him. Also surviving are their children, Jeffrey (Deb) Swears of Midland, MI; and Dana Swears of Sacramento, CA; 3 grandchildren, Jordan (Sarah) Swears, Greg (Jamie) Swears, Kate (Eric) Winer; and 1 great granddaughter, Brooklyn Swears. Other survivors include his sister-in-law, Susan Christopher; nephew, Zachary Swears; and in-laws, Dennis (Gayla) Phillips, Brian Phillips & Gregg Smyth, and Steve Phillips. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brother, James Swears and first wife Sandra Casselberry.

Bill taught and coached at St. Johns High School beginning in 1958. He was the Principal of St. Johns High School for 17 years until he retired in 1994 and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He graduated from Big Rapids High School and Ferris Institute (now FSU) with a B.S. in Business Education. He earned his Masters of Education at MSU. He was an avid golfer at the Emerald and he will be missed by his Monday morning golfing buddies.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 18, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Williams presiding. The family will receive friends Sunday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with a Vigil Service being prayed at 7 p.m., at Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, MI, 48879. Contributions may be made in Bill’s name to St. Joseph Educational Trust Fund, St. Johns Schools Foundation of Excellence, or Sparrow Clinton Hospice.

Bill taught and coached at St. Johns High School beginning in 1958. He was the Principal of St. Johns High School for 17 years until he retired in 1994 and was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church. He graduated from Big Rapids High School and Ferris Institute (now FSU) with a B.S. in Business Education. He earned his Masters of Education at MSU. He was an avid golfer at the Emerald and he will be missed by his Monday morning golfing buddies.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 18, 2014 at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Fr. Michael Williams presiding. The family will receive friends Sunday, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with a Vigil Service being prayed at 7 p.m., at Osgood Funeral Home, 104 E. Cass St., St. Johns, MI, 48879. Contributions may be made in Bill’s name to St. Joseph Educational Trust Fund, St. Johns Schools Foundation of Excellence, or Sparrow Clinton Hospice.

To learn more about Bill and view his Life Story film, please visit his personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/101340 . The family is being served by the Osgood Funeral Homes.