Rev. William J. Swift, a retired priest of the Diocese of Tulsa, died peacefully on December 5th, 2014. He was born in Bartlesville, OK on December 29th, 1919 to Frank and Helen Swift. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, F.W. and Thomas Swift.  His is survived by his sister, Sister Mary Grace Swift, O.S.U. of Maple Mount, KY and his nieces and nephews.

Fr. Swift was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Okla. City - Tulsa on September 23, 1944 at Our Lady's Cathedral in Oklahoma City. He served at an Associate Pastor at Christ the King (Tulsa), and as Pastor of St. Joseph (Bristow), St. John the Baptist (Edmond), Sacred Heart (Muskogee), St. Pius X (Tulsa), St. Michael (Henryetta) and as Chaplain of St. John Hospital in Tulsa. After his "official retirement" in 1988 he served as Senior Priest at St. Mary's in Tulsa until January 1, 2013 when he moved to Franciscan Villa in Broken Arrow, OK where he served as Chaplain until his death.  From 1950 till 1952 his was a Chaplain in the U.S. Army. In addition to these pastoral assignments, Fr. served on various Diocesan Boards and Committees.  He was known for his priestly zeal, his various hobbies and his love and enjoyment of life!

Fr. requested that any memorial gifts be made to the Priest Retirement Fund of the Diocese of Tulsa, P.O Box 690240, Tulsa, OK 74169.

Viewing will be at Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel on Tuesday, 12 Noon – 5 PM. Vigil Service will be Tuesday 7 PM and Funeral Mass will be Wednesday 11 AM, both at Holy Family Cathedral, Tulsa. Interment will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery in Bartlesville, OK.

FITZGERALD IVY CHAPEL 918-585-1151