Roll Call Tribute

William Pat "Bill" Swann 

August 16, 1943 - January 14, 2024 

Dr. William Pat “Bill” Swann was born in Lubbock, Texas, August 16, 1943. He was the only child of Bill and Jerene Swann of Idalou, Texas.

He is survived by his wife, Betty Jamison Swann of Austin, Texas; and his children Jay Swann (Laura) of Georgetown, Texas, and Ginger Swann Dill (Eric) of Kailua, Hawaii; his grandchildren Kennedy Swann Bodiford (Logan) of Blue River, Oregon, Kaema Roberson of Austin, Texas, Andrew Dill of College Station, Texas and Emery Dill of Kailua, Hawaii. Bill has one great-granddaughter, Taylor Roberson of Austin, Texas. His grandchildren called him "Boppy" because his first grandchild called him “Boppy” instead of “Poppy” when learning to speak.

“Billy Pat”, as he was known to family and close friends; grew up in Idalou, TX close to his immediate and extended family. From age 11, Billy Pat helped run the family cotton farm and raised Duroc hogs. In his school years he was a gifted athlete--playing football, basketball, baseball, track, tennis, golf and running track for the Idalou Wildcats. Billy Pat graduated in 1962 as the salutatorian of his high school class. He attended Texas Tech University in the fall of ’62 and majored in pre-veterinary medicine. It was here that he met Betty, his wife and soulmate. they started out as close friends and celebrated 57 years of marriage together. He was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity at Texas Tech.

He attended veterinary school at Texas A&M University. Upon graduation, Bill interned in small animal medicine and surgery at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Dr. Swann began practicing veterinary medicine in Arlington, Texas and then moved to Amarillo where he operated Swann Animal Clinic from 1972 to 2010. Bill and Betty raised their family in Amarillo and remained there until Bill retired in 2010. Upon Bill’s retirement they moved to New York City, living there for 11 years before returning to Texas. In 2020 they made Austin their home.

Bill and Betty spent their time traveling the world. They traveled to hundreds of places, both in the United States and abroad, seeing the sights and meeting wonderful people in each place. They enjoyed their fiftieth anniversary honeymoon at a castle in Ireland, traveled to Greek Islands, visited Israel, traveled throughout China, Turkey, the Middle East, rode camels in Egypt at the Pyramids, stayed in an ice hotel and mushed sled dogs in Canada, and even took a cruise through the Panama Canal.

Bill was the perfect example of what a Christian man should be: honest, moral, hard-working, loving, and a faithful husband. He was a loving father to his children, a man among men with the highest integrity. Bill loved Jesus Christ with all his heart and was taught to do so by his parents and grandparents. He served Jesus with all his heart as well. He was the chairman of the board for Betty Swann Ministries for 18 years. Many people came to him for advice and received common sense answers filled with biblical wisdom. He will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and the numerous clients he served in the panhandle area at Swann Animal Clinic.

Dr. Swann donated his body to Texas Tech University School of Medicine to advance scientific research. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to Betty Swann Ministries through www.bettyswann.com.  

The family will receive friends at Cox-Rowley Funeral Home, 4180 Canyon Dr. in Amarillo, on Friday January 19, 2024, from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Celebration of Life services will be 10:00 AM Saturday January 20, 2024 at Trinity Fellowship Church West Auditorium in Amarillo, 5000 Hollywood Rd. with Scott Rosenbach officiating.