WILLIAM F. "BOBBY" SWANSON

William F. "Bobby" Swanson, 76, passed away Friday evening, July 10, 2009.

He was born in Livingston, Texas, on November 13, 1932, to the late Frank and Ann Swanson and grandson to the late Fritz Swanson. Bobby then came to Kilgore where he attended Kilgore Schools, and joined the Air Force, which he proudly served during the Korean War until discharged on December 7, 1956. Mr. Swanson was a proud supporter of the armed forces by supporting the VFW posts 4002 and 1183.

He had always been active in this community; from coaching Little League baseball, earning Citizen of the Year in October of 1967, and staying active in community politics, ready to voice his opinion and stand up for what he thought was right.

Bobby was a true oilman; he loved his job and the people he worked with over the years, dedicating his life to the oilfield. He believed in doing a job right, without cutting any corners, and he did not care who liked it. This quality along with being a compassionate man who wanted to take care of other people, make him a valuable asset to Roosth and Genecov, and Roosth Production Co. who he was employed from January of 1954 to the present. Roosth Production Co. honored his valuable service in January of 2009 for over 50 years of service in the oil industry by a historical marker at Hwy 42 and I- 20.

Bobby also was an avid animal lover. Nothing upset him more than someone mistreating an animal, and it did not matter what the animal was! His dogs Sassy and Shelby, and cat Cleo will miss him greatly.

Bobby was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother.

Survivors include his beloved wife Judy; four sons, Ronald L. Swanson and wife Dana of Edgewood, John E. Swanson and wife Linda of Plaquemine, La., Stephen L. Mendenhall and wife Penny of Kilgore, and Matthew M. Mendenhall and wife Shelley of Colorado Springs, Co.; one brother, Marvin Swanson of Kilgore; twelve precious grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Mr. Swanson's first wife Sylvia Swanson, of whom he was married to for 42 years and shared two sons with, Ron and John, precedes him in death.

Pallbearers include Mike Swanson, Matt Swanson, Mark Swanson, Derek Swanson, Sam Roosth and Steve Roosth. Honorary pallbearers include Nathan Mendenhall, Sarah Mendenhall, Tawny Ormes and Kyra Ormes.

Visitation will be Wednesday, July 15, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rader Funeral Home of Kilgore. Memorial services celebrating Bobby's life will be Thursday, July 16 at 10 a.m. at the First Pentecostal Church of Kilgore with Reverend James Boatman officiating. Interment will follow at Lakeview Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Humane Society of Longview or a charity of one's choice. The family would like to express their sincerest appreciation to Dr. Alan Cook and his staff at East Texas Medical Center Trauma 1 for their care and compassion.

Please leave online condolences www.raderfuneralhome. com