Billy was born on March 12, 1927 to the late Ruben and Katie (Kellam) Swinney at Colfax, TX. On June 14, 1950 he married Betty J. Buchanan in Merkel, Texas. Bill ranched until 1961 when he moved his family to Lubbock, Texas. He went to work for Pioneer Natural Gas Company, (now Atmos Energy) until he retired in 1986. Bill moved to Buffalo Springs Lake in 1978 while he was working for the gas company. During this time at Buffalo Springs Lake he was a member of the Volunteer Fire Department for 30 years. Bill loved his garden and flowers. He moved to Roswell, NM in November of 2014 to live with son and daughter-in-law, Bobby and Pam.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and beloved wife, Betty of sixty-six years.
Billy is survived by his daughter, Lynne Brown and husband Wendell of Rockwall, TX, a son, Bobby Swinney and wife Pam of Roswell, NM; four grandchildren, Tonya Brown and partner Maryann, Aimee Walton and husband Billy, Kennon Swinney and wife Natalie, Jon Sykes and wife Melinda; nine great grandchildren, Aalyiha Walton, Rai-Ven Walton, Mikayla Walton, Wyatt Swinney, Bailey Swinney, Heath (Dub) Swinney, Jahari Kennedy, Jaryn Vanover, Jalen Sykes;great-great-granddaughter, Isley Kennedy; two brothers, Buddy Swinney and wife Cindy, and Jim Bob Swinney and a sister-in-law, Maxine Barrois.