William M. Swartz

William M. Swartz, age 76 years, of La Grange Park, Illinois, passed away on Saturday, January 17, 2026 at Hinsdale (Illinois) Hospital. He was born on January 3, 1950 in Chicago.

William (Bill) was the beloved long-time companion/fiancé of Elizabeth Thompson for 42 years; cherished guardian father of Billy Greenup and grandfather of Rennick Thompson; fond brother of James (Shirley) Swartz, Vincent Swartz, and Kathleen (Ernest) Heller; dear uncle of Edward Swartz III, Caitlin (Matthew) Seiboldt, Vincent (Jasmin) Swartz, Jr, and Matthew (Lindsey) Swartz; adored great-uncle of Ashely Swartz, Katie Swartz, and Claire Seiboldt; and cousin and friend of many. Bill was also the godfather of his nephew Matthew Swartz.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Katherine (English) Swartz, by his brother Edward Swartz, Jr, and by his stepdaughter Wendy Thompson.

A proud long-time United States Postal Service employee for 39 years, Bill was known as a “driver extraordinaire” and based at Chicago’s O’Hare Post Office/Airport Mail Center. Bill transported the US Mail via his postal truck for US Post Office Stations throughout Chicago and the suburbs. Prior to his long-time US Postal Service employment both as a truck driver of many years and earlier as a mail carrier, Bill also previously worked as a driver for Trailways Bus Company, Chicago, Illinois, and for A. Lange Florist in Oak Park, Illinois.

Bill spent his childhood years in Chicago’s Palmer Square/Logan Square neighborhood and also resided later in Niles, Illinois.

A devoted fan of movies and nostalgic vintage TV series throughout the years, Bill was very skilled at doing entertaining, humorous impressions of actors like John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart (his impersonations of actors Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas having a conversation was a comic classic and a family favorite). Bill also enjoyed traveling and sight-seeing. He was always very generous and helpful to his family, friends, and co-workers; he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Cremation service was private. Donations in Bill’s memory can be made to the American Heart Association or to the charity of one’s choice.

Arrangements entrusted to Chicagoland Cremation Options of Schiller Park, IL.