Dr. William Everett Swan, Jr. (Bill), 77, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday, February 8, 2018, in Corpus Christi, Texas, after a long battle with cancer.  The youngest of three sons, Bill was born July 9, 1940 in Kilgore, Texas, to Everett and Irene Swan.  He excelled at school – graduating from Union College in Lincoln, Nebraska, with a degree in Chemistry in 1962 and Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, California, in 1967.  After earning his medical degree, Bill joined the U.S. Army to proudly serve his country in the Vietnam War as a Captain and a Battalion Surgeon and received multiple decorations and medals.  Upon return, he moved his young family to Temple, Texas, for his residency in Orthopedic Surgery at Scott & White Medical Center which he completed in 1974.  After earning his specialization, he moved his family to his forever home of Corpus Christi where he worked as an Orthopedic Surgeon for over 40 years.

During his decades of service to his community, Bill helped countless people heal and recover from sickness and injuries.  He was known for having a wonderful bedside manner and could put the most nervous patient at ease with his humor, vast knowledge, confidence and down-to-earth demeanor.  Bill always loved to work.  He enjoyed his medical practice and thrived on engaging and bantering with his patients and their families, other doctors, nurses and medical professionals.  During his career, he served as President of the Nueces County Medical Society and Chief of Staff of CHRISTUS Spohn Hospital – Shoreline.  He was voted one of Texas Monthly's Super Doctors three years in a row.

Bill was a hero to many people, who affectionately referred to him as "Doc."  He was selfless in helping however he could – giving advice, providing scholarships, assisting those in need or being a shoulder to cry on.  He had a quick wit and boundless optimism that made him a joy to be around.

When he was not at work, he loved to be surrounded by friends and family, especially at his ranch in South Texas.  He loved to cook for large groups of friends, to hunt for deer and dove, and to spend time around the campfire, telling stories, drinking beer and listening to his favorite country music, especially Willie Nelson and George Jones.  He was very close with his brothers, Luther and Glenn and his nephews Morris and Jim Swan.

Dr. Swan is survived by his wife Candis, son William E. Swan III, daughters Brooke Frank (Mike), Heather Hazen (Tony) and Caitlin Dixon, granddaughters Caroline and Lindsey Frank, and grandsons AJ, Will and Hunter Hazen.

A memorial service in honor of Dr. Swan will be held Friday, February 16 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Corpus Christi.  In lieu of flowers, his family asks that contributions be made to Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org), Union College in Lincoln, NE ( www.ucollege.edu/giving and select Swan Memorial Fund) or the First Baptist Church of Corpus Christi (www.firstcorpus.org).