William Taylor Swafford, of Hixson, Tennessee, passed away peacefully on February 13, 2026, at age 77. He was known to most as "W.T." or Bill Swafford. He was born on September 15, 1948, in Crossville, Tennessee to Calvin Taylor Swafford and Mary Louise Kidwell Swafford. He was the grandson of Aaron (Claudia), Swafford, and Sidney (Ada) Kidwell.

He is survived by his two daughters, Christena Louise Grant and Rachel Elizabeth Swafford; their mother Retha Marlene Swafford; grandsons Mason Allan Grant and Ian Vincent Grant; significant other, Drucilla Colston, and her sons, Greg Colston and Gary Colston.
William graduated from Cumberland County High School in 1966 and was voted "Best Dressed" by his classmates. He was a proud graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1970. He earned a Master of Science in Psychology (Industrial-Organizational) from UT Chattanooga in 1978 and completed some coursework later in life toward a Master's degree in Counseling.

He worked in several occupations throughout his life including sales, construction management, finance, and auto insurance. He began his career with State Farm and served as Vice President of Claims/Operations with Provident General in Chattanooga during the late 1980s.
W.T. was a die-hard University of Tennessee Volunteers Football fan and was deeply devoted to supporting their program since childhood. He went to every game of the 1998 undefeated season and the National Championship in Arizona. He attended his last home game at Neyland Stadium in 2025. (Go Vols!) In the 80s, he was a member of a bowling league, served as a high school basketball referee, and competed in stock car drag racing. As a father, he was truly active in his daughters' lives, cheering them on through years of music, dance, and competitive baton twirling. He enjoyed sports cars, dancing, NASCAR racing, and WWE Wrestling, which he loved to watch with his grandsons.

He was of the United Methodist faith and was grateful for decades of recovery alongside his friends in A.A. He instilled in his family much wisdom, learning, and lifelong respect for the importance of education. He was an amazing caregiver to his family's beloved pets.
A memorial celebration of life for his friends and family will be held March 15, 2026, at Harrison Bay State Park. We will honor his passion and casual style by wearing Vols attire or something black. In his memory, please consider volunteering or donating to an animal rescue or local shelter.

Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Service 423-531-3975