Lloyd William "Bill" Swinamer

Of Belmont, MA, passed away peacefully at Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge, MA on December 21, 2021. Bill was born on December 3, 1934 in Cambridge, MA to William and Winifred (Hiltz) Swinamer. Bill attended Rindge Technical High School studying Automotive Mechanics and graduated in 1951.  After graduating, he worked at MIT Lab and in 1953 he enlisted in the US Air Force serving as an aircraft mechanic on C117’s (Cargo) and C130’s (Air Support) nicknamed “Hercules” and B29 & B50 Bombers.  In 1956 he was married to Mary “Mae” Elizabeth Doherty and after his service in the US Airforce he was honorably discharged as Staff Sergeant in 1957.  Bill and Mae had two children Darlene and Robert.

Bill worked as a Tool Design Engineer for several years before ultimately taking an early retirement from Digital Equipment Corporation in 1992.  On any given weekend you could usually find Bill out in the yard with his head under the hood of a car or resolving some problem around the house.   He had a god given talent for fixing virtually anything.   Bill was a true Engineer.  As the saying goes “Engineers like to solve problems.  If there are no problems handily available they will create their own problems.”  All kidding aside, whenever a friend or family member had a problem with their automobile or an issue with their house, they knew they could count on a helping hand from Bill. 

In addition to fixing things, one of Bill’s other passions included boating.  He owned a number of boats during his lifetime and he loved to spend time with family and friends out on the water whether it was waterskiing, fishing or just relaxing.   And anyone that knew Bill, knew that another passion of his was eating.  He loved all kinds of foods, but like most, he had his favorites (shrimp, steak and lobster).  And as Julia Child once said, “people who love to eat are always the best people.”

Bill is survived by his wife Mary Swinamer of Belmont, his daughter, Darlene Swinamer of Belmont and her son Derek, his son Robert Swinamer and wife Jean and their daughter Halle of Jupiter, Florida.  He was predeceased by his siblings, Carl St. Clair Swinamer, Roy Vincent Swinamer, Earl Donald Swinamer, Paul Eugene Swinamer, Doris Kathleen (Swinamer) Blanchet, Margaret Jean (Swinamer) Lewis.  He also leaves several nieces and nephews.

There will be private family services at this time for Bill and a public service will be held for all in the spring.  Arrangements by the Short, Williamson & Diamond Funeral Home, Belmont   617.484.6900  swdfuneralhome .com

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