HAMLET — William Gregory “Greg” Swails, 62, of Hamlet, passed away Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023 at UNC Hospital, Chapel Hill.
He was born March 9, 1960, in Richmond County, son of William Claude Swails and Carol Braswell Swails.
Greg was a member of Faith Missionary Baptist Church. In his earlier years, he worked for Industrial Sheet Metal in Rockingham. He also spent several years as a fireman with the Hamlet Fire Department, later volunteering with East Rockingham Fire Department and again with Hamlet. Greg was also proud to be part of his lifelong friends, Kenny Caulder, Allen Terry and Allen Jordan.
He was mechanically inclined to fix anything. He especially enjoyed working on old cars. To his sons, he was a handyman in many areas. Family was the most important part of Greg’s life, as a husband, father, and “Pa” to his five grandchildren that he loved unconditionally.
Greg is survived by his wife, Patricia “Pat” Reynolds Swails, of the home; sons, Tony Swails of Pinehurst and Justin Swails (Maridith) of Hamlet; his father and stepmother, William “Bill” Swails (Johnnie) of Carthage, Texas; mother, Carol Braswell Swails of Rockingham; grandchildren, Conner Swails, Abbie Swails, Mason Swails, Maverick Swails and Aiden Swails; brothers, Keith Swails of Rockingham and Chris Swails (Lori) of Hamlet; and a special daughter he never had, Kristen Billingsley Pruitt.
Visitation will be Friday, Feb. 10, 2023 from 6-8 p.m. at Faith Missionary Baptist Church, Hatcher Road, Rockingham.
The funeral service will be Saturday, Feb. 11, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Faith Missionary Baptist Church, with Pastor Travis Wilkerson, Pastor Ernie Walters and Billy Knight officiating. Burial will follow at Richmond County Memorial Park.
Memorials may be made to: Faith Missionary Baptist Church Building Fund, 276 Hatcher Road, Rockingham, NC 28379; or Hamlet Fire Department, 302 Champlain St., Hamlet, NC 28345.
Harrington Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the Swails family.
Online condolences may be made at harringtonfuneralhome.com.
