He was born to William M. and Lillian (Chalupnik) Swoboda in Lincoln, NE on March 7, 1943. He was the first of 13 siblings in a family that relished celebrating their Czech heritage. After moving several times during his early years due to his father’s military service during WW II, the family returned to Verdigre where he developed his love of learning and graduated from Verdigre High School.
After graduation, he moved to Des Moines, IA and started his career with IBM repairing computers for statewide business accounts. He would return to Lincoln often to visit his brother Dennis, and met his beloved wife Carol J. (Schmidt) who lived in the apartment below him. They were soon married on November 11, 1969, and after welcoming their first daughter in 1970, moved to Lincoln. After they welcomed two more daughters in 1971 and 1974, it was time to look for a larger property and they purchased their current acreage in Ceresco, NE in 1976. Daughter number four arrived in 1977.
After moving back from Des Moines, Bill found work in production at National Crane in Lincoln before changing careers and working for McDonald Motors as an ASE certified technician, specializing in Volkswagen, Audi, and Subaru repair. After the dealership changed hands, he decided to go into business for himself as the owner of Voltech. After years of running the shop, he retired to enjoy time with family, reap the harvest of his extensive vegetable garden, and enjoy the nature surrounding him.
Bill’s greatest love and focus was always family. Vacations were spent together camping in The Black Hills or The Grand Tetons in Wyoming. Nature was ever present. The annual Memorial Day fishing trip in Verdigre brought everyone back together for tinfoil dinners, strolls through fields of bluebells, and raucous renditions of many a song sung around the campfire. His booming baritone voice is unforgettable.
He could always be counted on for advice and help, and he never once hesitated or complained. He was a teacher by nature, and enjoyed showing people how to do things he was requested to help with.
He didn’t care for expensive new things. He’d rather take something broken and fix it with his own two hands. To buy new was wasteful. He had a gentle heart and his beloved granddogs were always excited to see him. He had a special place in his heart for them.
He was an amazing father, and the lessons and values instilled in his daughters were many. He taught them to be strong, self-sufficient, intelligent, and inquisitive. He was a man of integrity with a heart of gold. He was so proud of his daughters. His grandchildren and great-granddaughter were his absolute delight.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents and brother Dennis.
He is survived by his wife, Carol; daughters Lisa R. Swoboda of West Sacramento, CA, Susan Stevens of Scottsdale, AZ, Barbara Miller of Omaha, NE, and Erin Swoboda of Ceresco; grandson Devin (Mr. D) McDonald (partner Koren Soper) of Jacksonville, FL; granddaughter Reigna (Tweet) Miller of Omaha, and great-granddaughter Xia (Tiny Tweet) McDonald of Jacksonville; siblings Judy Deleon, Nancy Flodine, Jim Swoboda, Mary McGarraugh, Robert Swoboda, Jean Angell, Jeff Swoboda, Steve Swoboda, Rosanne Neukirch, Roy Swoboda, and Greg Swoboda, and many nieces, nephews, and extended family.
Funeral Service: 1:00 on Friday, March 24, 2023 at Roper and Sons Midtown Chapel, 4300 O St, Lincoln, NE with visitation one hour prior to service.
Mass on Saturday, March 25 at 12:00pm at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church in Verdigre, NE with burial to follow at St Wenceslaus Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials to the family for future designation.