Willard Swearingen, 87, of Fitzgerald, Georgia died January 8, 2010 at the Life Care Center in Fitzgerald.
Funeral services will be held at 2:30 P.M. Monday, January 11, 2010, at the Paulk Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Dr. Lloyd Stembridge officiating. Interment will follow in Reedy Branch Cemetery in Broxton, Georgia. The family will receive friends from 7 to 9 P.M. Sunday evening at the funeral home.
Mr. Swearingen was born September 4, 1922 in De Kalb, Mississippi to the late Oscar and Mary Lou “Mamie” Eldridge Swearingen. Living in Fitzgerald since 1946, he was owner and operator of Swearingen Welding and Repair. A member of Arbor Baptist Church, he served in the 9th Armor Division of the United States Army during World War II and fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and Distinguished Unit Badge.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Vivian McCallum Swearingen of Fitzgerald; Daughter and son-in-law, Debra S. and Johnny Rutland of Fitzgerald; 3 grandchildren, Justin, Jason, and Jessica Rutland, as well as several nieces and nephews. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by 5 brothers and 4 sisters.