In his 70 years of life, Bill Swarm was a beacon of love and generosity. Known for his infectious spirit, he was not only a dedicated husband and father but also left a legacy through his selfless act of organ donation.
Bill's wife, Gerri, describes their 27-year marriage as a partnership filled with joy and mutual respect. “You could describe him as a party waiting to happen,” she said. “He never met a stranger and took an interest in everyone.” As the more reserved one,
Gerri often worked behind the scenes while Bill was the life of the party. Together, they built a life centered around family, raising four children with love and devotion.
Bill and Gerri's story began 30 years ago when a personal ad described him as “tall, dark, and handsome.” After a few phone conversations, they met for lunch, and five months later, they were married. Their bond only grew stronger as they raised their children, building a home filled with laughter and adventure.
Bill was passionate about architecture, graduating with a master’s degree from Catholic University. He spent years working for various firms before founding his own company, Atlantic Architecture, which he ran for 38 years. Architecture was not just a job for Bill; it was his passion, and he poured his heart into every project.
Outside of work, Bill was deeply involved in his community. He served as a district commissioner for the Boy Scouts in the US Capital area, sharing his love for the outdoors with young scouts. He and Gerri were avid hikers, exploring national parks and the beauty of the DMV area with their hiking group.
Photography was another of Bill’s passions. He captured countless family moments, leaving behind a treasure trove of memories for his loved ones. Bill was the dad who insisted on taking a picture at every restaurant, much to his children's playful eyerolls. Today, those photos are cherished reminders of a life well-lived.
Bill was also an active member of their church, known for his sense of style and fun. He coordinated his suits and bowties with fellow ushers, bringing joy to everyone around him. He was always ready to lend a helping hand, whether it was shopping for a neighbor during COVID or making sure every child at school had a funny hat on Hat Day.
“He did everything without hesitation,” Gerri recalled. “He left us in a much better place, and I’m more outgoing today because of him.”
Bill’s adventurous spirit extended to swimming, a skill he honed from a young age. When his father, a Lt. Colonel in the Army was stationed in Hawaii, Bill took surfing lessons with his mother. He later managed swimming pools, showcasing his talents as both a swimmer and a leader.
On July 2, 2020, tragedy struck during a family trip to Virginia Beach. The pandemic had canceled their twin daughters' college graduation ceremony, so a beach trip seemed like a perfect celebration. While swimming, Bill was injured by a wave, leading
to a near-drowning incident and cardiac arrest. Despite the hospital's efforts, Bill could not be saved. Amidst their grief, his family saw an opportunity to honor his generous spirit.
Bill’s organ donation saved two lives, including a man his age who wrote to Gerri, sharing that Bill’s gift had freed him from six years of dialysis. Bill’s donation also contributed to medical research, paving the way for advancements that will benefit countless others.
Gerri was inspired by Bill's final act of generosity, stepping out of her comfort zone to speak for LifeNet Health. “He would have loved all that,” she said. “He would have been right there cheering everybody on.”
While the days ahead are bittersweet with their first grandchild on the way and future family milestones, Bill’s family finds solace in knowing his legacy lives on. His selfless gift of organ donation allowed a grandfather of 12 to enjoy precious moments with his family, just as Bill would have wanted.
“He was fantastic,” Gerri said. “He was a great dad. His kids desperately miss him, but they carry his legacy of love and generosity forward.”
Dear Donor Family,
I am approaching the first anniversary of my kidney transplant, and I want to sincerely thank you for deciding to donate your loved one's kidney. I am so very thankful for receiving this life-saving gift. I'm sure that this past year has been difficult for you, but I wanted you to know that this kidney is working without any problems, and I feel so blessed to have received it.
My name is Dave. I'm 72 years old and retired, married to my wife, Vicki, for 43 years, have four children, all grown and married, and have twelve grandchildren with a great grandchild on the way. Two of our children and their families live in other parts of the country a significant distance from us. We are looking forward to more visits with them without having to schedule dialysis sessions for several days during our visits.
Prior to the transplant, I had received dialysis for over six years, three days a week for four hours a session. I was on the transplant list for over seven years before I got the call about a year ago. During the seven plus years, I had been called several times as a candidate for a transplant but for various reasons it wasn't my time, and I was sent home from the hospital each time. When I was called for the transplant for your loved one's kidney, everything fell into place and the operation went smooth. I knew this was the right one. I haven't needed dialysis since the transplant.
I sincerely thank you for your decision to donate this special kidney. It has certainly changed my life for the better.
I think of your loss often realizing the difficult time you must have experienced at that time and since. May God bless you and grant you peace.
Thank you for my second chance in life. Eternally grateful,
Dave