William John Swanson

WILLIAM j. Swanson, 72, passed away on Oct. 8, 2021, at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. Bill was born on Dec. 26, 1948, in Duluth, Minnesota to Leon and Mary Swanson. Bill grew up in Des Plaines, Illinois, and attended Maine West High School where he competed in golf, his lifelong passion. He also caddied, mostly at Medina Country Club. He attended the Univ. of Wisconsin and the Univ. of Arizona where he was awarded a B.A. Bill tended bar in the Lake Tahoe area and became a high-end travel guide. Bill served as base camp manager on two Mt. Everest trips, two treks up Kilimanjaro, and tended bar on two polar crossings on a Russian nuclear-powered ice-breaker. Bill traveled extensively to all corners of the world. He visited every major league ballpark and many minor league parks and he loved his Chicago Cubs. Quick to laugh, Billy had many good friends and will be sorely missed. A commemorative golf outing will be staged at a later date. In lieu of flowers go to a ballgame, play a round of golf, travel or just take a hike.