William Arthur “Bill” Swenson, Jr., age 84, formerly of 1307 Delta Avenue; Gladstone and currently a patient at the Christian Park Health Care Center in Escanaba, died Friday morning, May 11th, 2007, at Christian Park following a lengthy illness..

Bill was born June 8th, 1922 in Gladstone the son of W. Arthur and Esther (Baker) Swenson and was a lifelong Gladstone resident except for seven years when he resided in the “Maywood Shores “ area of Rapid River in Ensign Township.

In 1940, Bill graduated form the Gladstone High School, served as class president, and continued his education at Kalamazoo College for two years. As with many of his generation, he subsequently entered the military and proudly served his country with the U.S. Army from November of 1942 until May of 1946, mainly in the Asiatic-Pacific Theaters. While with the U.S. Army, Bill was a Technical Sergeant as a cryptographic technician.

After his honorable discharge, Bill Swenson returned to Delta County and was employed by “Swenson Bros. Furniture’ on Delta Avenue in Gladstone and later became a partner with his uncle, Noble Swenson, in the firm. Bill later purchased the entire business from Noble and continued operating it for many years until his retirement in 1980.

Bill was an active member of the Gladstone American Legion August Mattson Post #71 and is a Past- Commander. He also was member of its’ UP Championship Drill Team in 1962 and served as the historian in 1976. In addition, he is a member of the Delta County Voiture No. 663 of the “40 et 8” Honor Society and was Advocate.

In 1965, Bill fulfilled a civic duty as president of the Gladstone School Board of which he was part and he also was a 12 year component of the Boy Scout Pack #471 and was the institutional representative of that group. Furthermore, he was a member of the National Rifle association and was a long-time member of the First Lutheran Church.

In his leisure, Bill enjoyed hunting, fishing in Canada, and playing the card game, “Bridge”, with family and friends.

Bill Swenson’s survivors include:

2 Sons- James Mark Swenson of Ford River; William (Cathy) Swenson III of  Midland, MI

2 Daughters- Jill (David) Meier of Sussex, WI; Holly Swenson of Waukesha, WI

1 Sister-Joan Richards of Green Valley, AZ

7 grandchildren, and several nieces and nepews

Bill also leaves to survive a very special friend, Elvera Kallio, of Kipling

He was preceded in death by his parents and two infant sisters.

The family of William A. “Bill” Swenson, Jr. will receive friends on Tuesday at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 12:00 Noon to 2:45 p.m. Military Rites will be conducted at 2:45 p.m. at the funeral home by the Gladstone American Legion. Services celebrating Bill’s life will follow at 3:00 p.m. at the Skradski Funeral Home with Rev. Jonathan Schmidt of the First Lutheran Church officiating. Luncheon will follow services at the First Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall. Burial will be in the Fernwood Cemetery.