of Russellville, AR
June 28, 1936 - December 30, 2020
Walter Horton Swetnam, 84, of Russellville passed away December 30, 2020.
He was born June 28, 1936 in Pernambuco, Brazil to Walter Stafford Swetnam and Janie Katherine Murrell.
Walter was born in Brazil, spent most of his life in the United States, and carried the best of both worlds with him. He loved God, dogs, his family, fishing and the Arkansas Razorbacks, in that order! His sense of humor and outgoing personality made the world his friend. His unique way of sharing the Gospel with others drew even the most lost of souls to the church door. In his early years, Walter was known for creating mischief and playing jokes on the unsuspecting! As an older man, he became a champion for the underdog and a compassionate listener. Through everything, he maintained his charming smile, unfailing faith, and unwavering love for family and friends. God ''broke the mold'' after creating Walter; he will never be replaced.
Survivors include one son, Browden Swetnam of Russellville; one daughter, Gwen Williams (Rob) of Huntsville, Alabama; two sisters, Charlotte Ayers of Dallas, Texas and Janie Vann (James) of Mobile, Alabama; four grandchildren, Hannah (Nathan) Hendrix, Bryan Williams, Trevor Gauthier, and Brendan Gauthier, and one great-grandchild as well as several nieces and nephews.
Walter is preceded in death by his parents; his loving wife, Norma Gray Swetnam; one daughter, Dawn Elizabeth Gauthier; one infant brother, and a sister, Iris Scott.
A burial of the cremains will be at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 23, 2021 at Oaklawn Cemetery, with a Memorial service to follow at the First Presbyterian Church, on Friday, July 23, 2021 at 2:00 p.m.
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7 Condolence(s)
LetÃcia Siqueira Cavalcante
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
Horton was as a brother for me. I miss him, his husband and his family, since we were for four years at the same school, the XV de Novembro, whose presidente was his father, Dr. Walter Stafford Swetnam, his mother was my piano teacher, and the other children or theirs, Charlotte, Janie and Iris, were as sisters, especially Charlotte. That family was a great blessing to our country and the mentioned School
LetÃcia Siqueira Cavalcante
Sunday, March 27, 2022
Paula Stewart
Friday, January 22, 2021
I met Mr. Swetnam when he brought his little dog to the Humane Society dog dips. You could tell the dog meant the world to him.
Robert Ford
Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Dear Family,
I was saddened to learn of the recent passing of Walter. He was a fine man and I always enjoyed visiting with him at the annual Gray Family Reunions in Batesville. I know the family will miss him
greatly. All of you are in our thoughts and prayers as you grieve the loss of your loved one.
We love you,
Robert Ford, Jr. and Family
Bob and Jean Parket
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
Bob and I got to know Norma and Walter when they moved into the apartments at Wagon Wheel. We became friends and they were babysitters for our little poodle, Xenia, when we needed them. She would run to their apartment whenever we let her out. They were wonderful people and we enjoyed listening to Walter’s stories.
Michael Roys
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Though I did not know Walter well; I/we enjoyed his stepping in as our guest pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in Russellville. His messages were thoughtful, challenging, and made me think on a deeper level about my faith. It would have been an honor for him to spend more time speaking to our members. He will be missed. Prayers & comforting vibes to his family. We are all blessed to have had the opportunity to listen to his wise words and witness his sincere love for his fellow man and Jesus Christ.
Carolyn Wammack
Thursday, December 31, 2020
To Walter’s Family,
I’m sorry to hear about his passing. He and Norma were wonderful neighbors at Wagon Wheel. I know your family will miss him. Your family is in my prayers.