William H. Swalm
William H. Swalm, 88 a resident of Arbour Square in Harylesville, Pa., passed away Sunday January 31st 2016. Preeced in death by his wife Anne Cornell Swalm.
Bill was a proud Korean Veteran and after the war became an avid Businessman in the Automobile industry. Upon Graduation from Wharton School of Business, Bill was accepted into General Motors Institute and in 1970, became President & Owner of Foss Hughes, Lincoln-Mercury Corp in Doylestown. He continued his career at J.L Freed Honda dealership in Montgomeryville where he was rightfully nick named “The Admiral.”
Although Bill loved the automobile industry his true success was as a loving husband and amazing father to 5 wonderful children, Billy, Carol Jo, Jackee, Elizabeth & Laura.
Bill Swalm was a remarkable man. It is hard to sum up his life in a few paragraphs. He enriched the lives of everyone who knew him. Always with a smile or wise advice, Bill would extol his wisdom on life and living to all around him. His patience level was a rare gift and his ability to take pleasure in the little things in life was a lesson we will all take with us. He had a unique ways of handling any size problem and helped people understand that anything is possible with hope, patience and love.
Although this is not your typical obituary we wish to leave you with a true feeling of his personality and the joy he brought to everyone. He left his mark on this world with his “Swalmism’s” that made everyone smile. So raise a Gin Martini to this wonderful man who will be truly missed. I leave you with a few quotes from Bill that will bring a smile and leave a mark forever.
“If you can say 21 Twin Screw Cruisers you’re not that intoxicated.” And my favorite “You must engage brain before engaging mouth.”
A Memorial Service for Bill will be held Thursday 2/11 at 11am First Presbyterian Church in Springfield 1710 Bethlehem Pike, Flourtown, PA 19031. Where friends may call 10am. Internment, West Laurel Hill Cem.
“The Great Swalmie” lived his life with a positive outlook. His love for everyone was undeniable and his sincere interest in your life was genuine. He lived by the Golden Rule and forgave easily. Always smiling and with a kind word for every situation Bill Swalm epitomized a ‘Gentleman’. He lived each day to its fullest and told me “Well, Precious, you have to do the best you can”. Dear Bill, you’ll be missed but thanks for the wonderful memories. Cheers!
I remember the days singing in the choir with Bill at Flourtown Church and his kind and gentle smile and greeting when we have crossed paths more recently on Sunday mornings. I will miss him! My prayers go out to Bill’s family and friends and I hope that your good memories will ease your great loss.
My deepest condolences… Such a wonderful man and the best Uncle I was so blessed to have.. Uncle Bill will be missed and always remembered with love..
I have only had the pleasure of knowing Bill for a couple of years. We attended the same church. He was always pleasant and smiling. His passion for his church is memorable. He was proud to be a Veteran as well.
My condolences to his family.
Always a smile, no matter the circumstance. We need more people in the world like Bill.
Friends remembering at J.L. Freed.
Thoughts are with Elizabeth at the time. He sounds l like he was a arundel man and left his mark. God bless.
My entire family was saddened to hear of “Uncle Bill’s” passing. He was my fathers best friend and best man at their wedding. My memories of him when I was a child were of a gentle man who always had a smile, kind word and twinkle in his eyes. My parents always spoke lovingly of Bill and stories of their younger years almost always included him. I have pictures of Bill and my dad as young men enjoying their youth and loving life. I was thrilled when I would see him at church as he would always take the time to ask about my family, children, and parents of course when they were with us and share a story.
I am sorry I have to miss the service today, I would have loved to attend and pay my respects. My prayer for the family is that they find peace in their hearts and know that their father’s memory will live on through them.