William Swint Obituary

William Carter "Bill" Swint, Jr., a lifelong resident of Ellerslie, GA, passed away Sunday, September 14, 2025, at his residence.

Bill was born October 24, 1947, in Columbus, GA, the son of William Carter Swint, Sr., and Mary Helen Smith Swint. He was a graduate of Harris County High School and obtained a bachelor's degree from Columbus College.

For many years, Bill was the owner and operator of Swint's TV Sales and Service in Ellerslie, but his childhood love of clocks extended through his adult life and led him to become a professional Clocksmith. For over 35 years he has continuously operated Swint's Clock Shop. Bill made innumerable friends through his work. He loved his community of Ellerslie and was very active in many local civic affairs. He was active for many years as a member of the Ellerslie Volunteer Fire Department and was also instrumental in helping to save and renovate the Ellerslie Depot. He was a former deacon and Sunday school teacher at Bethesda Baptist Church, and for many years played an active role in many church activities.

Over the years, Bill's mechanical talents extended to many different interests and hobbies. For a while he enjoyed racing, and even built a hotrod. In his younger days he enjoyed participating in the Britt David Pottery Studio in Columbus, where he operated the kiln and helped others with glazing techniques. He was very successful at Beekeeping and extracting honey. He was also a long-time member and former president of the Muscogee County Astronomy Club. During that association he created his own large telescope. He was a member of the Florida Pyrotechnics Arts Guild, and most recently had enjoyed designing, building and testing his own fireworks.

Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary Howard Swint; daughter and son-in law, Jenny Laine Strickland and Scott Strickland, all of Ellerslie; granddaughter Maggie Laine Vitelli (fiance Craig Wyrick); grandson, Carter "Drake" Vitelli (Hailey Rodgers); step-grandchildren, Jennifer Weatherford (Josh), Hope Russell (Gill), Carley Gardner (Channing) and Sydnie Strickland; 7 great grandchildren; his brother, Robert Swint (Sandra) of Waverly Hall and sister-in-law Lucy Howard Ebbett (Wendell) of Newnan; and many nieces and nephews and their children.

A memorial service will be held 3:00 PM Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Chapel of Cox Funeral Home in Hamilton, GA, with Rev. David Helms officiating.

The family will receive friends prior to the service, from 2:00 until 3:00 PM Wednesday at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the Ellerslie Volunteer Fire Department, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Cox Funeral Home, Hamilton, GA is assisting the family with arrangements.