WJ Bill Swank, 71
WJ Bill Swank was born July 6, 1953, to Wilma (Weyer) and Don Swank, a hair stylist and logger of North Idaho. He gained parents and siblings when he was welcomed into the Riplinger family at age thirteen.
To honor his foster dad, Babe Riplinger, Bill followed in his footsteps and became a funeral director, graduating from Mount Hood College with a degree in mortuary science. He was well-known and respected in this field. Bill testified against murderers of his clients, leading to long sentences and was one of the best in reconstruction. He was a philanthropist, serving on cemetery boards and leading Rotary fundraisers, and was honored with Rotary's Good Fellow award.
Bill was married to Sandy Swank while in college and married Cindy Swank in 1985. They enjoyed 35 years of marriage, where they helped to create and raise their daughter, Desalyn Darianna Swank. Bill, in his creative nature, came up with the name Desalyn. Bill was a talented sculptor and painter, and he used his talents in reconstruction. He enjoyed woodworking and built a cabin with his wife, Cindy. He was most at home in North Idaho, riding motorcycles on logging roads, and loved camping with his brother, Jack, and his sister, Janie, and their families.
Bill is in Heaven with his honorary daughter, Tara; his parents: Wilma Weyer, Don Swank, Babe and Pat Riplinger; his brother, Jim Riplinger; his sister, Peggy Riplinger; his beloved nephew, Drew Swank; his favorite uncle, Pat, uncles Joe, Curly, Tom and Bill, aunts Margret and Ginny, and his dogs, Tiny, Nobbers, Toto and CoCoLaLa (Des's dog). Bill is survived by Desalyn and Cindy Swank, his honorary daughter, Nikki Swank, his brothers, Don (Swank), Jack (Riplinger), Larry (Riplinger) and Mike (Riplinger), his sisters, Janie (Swank), MaryAnn (Weyer), Wilma (Weyer), Mary (Riplinger), Barb (Riplinger), Susie (Riplinger), his aunt, Ruth Weyer, and Sarah Eylar and her kids, as well as many nieces, nephews, including his favorite nephew, Gerry, cousins and friends that love him and think the world of him, including his best friends, Brad Fountain, Pat O'Malley, Gary Cook, Ray Flaherty and John Hickman. We are honored that John is officiating the funeral. May Bill be at peace in Heaven.
Please join us for a celebration of Bill's life, which will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16, at Riplinger Funeral Home, 4305 N. Division, Spokane, Wash.
Also, Cindy and Desalyn are throwing a Mr. Bill BBQ over Memorial Day. Contact Desalyn for details.