Swartley, William Derstine (1917-2007)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2007 Oct 22 p. 8

Birth date: 1917 Nov 6

text of obituary:

WILLIAM D. SWARTLEY

William Derstine Swartley, 89, of Souderton, Pa., died Sept. 29, 2007. He was born Nov. 6, 1917, to William K and Susan D. Swartley.

He married Valeria S. Landes at Creamery on Jan. 14, 1940.

He was employed as a hosiery worker at Ridge Hosiery in Quakertown and later operated a market route in Philadelphia for 40 years.

He was a committed Christian and a lifelong member of Franconia Mennonite Church. He served as a Sunday school teacher for 50 years and as a member of the congregational leadership team for 10 years. He inherited a love for music from his father, which he passed on to his children and grandchildren. He organized and directed men’s and mixed choruses and provided leadership for the Franconia congregation. He served as secretary of church music for Franconia Mennonite Conference, leading singing schools, organizing music conferences and song leader clinics in various congregations. He also volunteered with Choice Books and at MCC stores. He enjoyed woodworking, building quilt racks and wooden toys for children and his grandchildren. In their retirement years, he and Valeria traveled in the United States and Canada.

Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Valeria; four children, Carol Longacre of Franconia, Janet Goshow of Perkasie, William L. Swartley of Hesston, Kan., and Elizabeth Heavener of Telford; 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sisters, Ella Mae Landes and Susan Irene Landes; a brother, Roy D. Swartley; and two infant siblings.

Services were held at Souderton Mennonite Home. Burial was in the Franconia Mennonite Church cemetery.