William Stephen "Bill" Sywy

WYLIE, TEXAS - William Stephen “Bill” Sywy, 79, longtime resident of the Mahoning Valley, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at Methodist Richardson Medical Center near his home in Texas, after a bout with kidney failure.

William was born in Youngstown on April 24, 1941, and was the son of the late Steve Sywy and Anna Hubiack Sywy. He was raised in Niles and lived in Austintown from 1979 until 2016, when he and his wife moved to Texas to be close to their daughters.

Bill was a 1959 graduate of Niles McKinley High School and enlisted in the U.S. Army in October of 1963, serving for almost two years before being honorably discharged in October of 1965. 

After his discharge from the service, Mr. Sywy worked for 38 years for General Motors at the Lordstown Plant, retiring in 2004.

He was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Youngstown, where he served as church treasurer. He was also a member of the Ukrainian Orthodox League and of the Eastern Orthodox Mens’ Society.

During the 1980s and early 1990s, Bill was a member and served as president of the Wedgewood Park & Swim Club in Austintown. He was a member of the Austintown Band Parents and of the Austintown Lions Club. He enjoyed bowling, was a big fan of NASCAR, and most importantly, he loved the time he spent with his family.

Bill leaves his wife, Patricia “Pat” Gillam Sywy, whom he married May 16, 1970; three daughters, Stephanie S. (Chris) Maxwell, Jennifer L. (Scott) Conley, and Andrea M. Sywy, all of Murphy, Texas; five grandchildren, Lucas, Grace, Ellie, Faith and Noah; and several extended family members, including his cousin, John Hubiack of Dallas.

Family and friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, April 29 at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, where a prayer service will take place at 4:45 p.m.

Funeral services will begin Friday, April 30, at 9:30 a.m at the funeral home, and will continue at Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, 1025 N. Belle Vista Ave. in Youngstown at 10 a.m., with Rev. Ivan Tchopko and Rev. Daniel Rohan officiating. If attending the visitation or services, please be mindful of current health protocols and social distancing guidelines. To those who cannot attend, or are uncomfortable doing so at this time, please keep Bill and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Burial will follow the church service and will be at the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, Bill’s family requests that any memorial contributions be made to Sts. Peter & Paul Ukrainian Orthodox Church, or to the Austintown Lions Club, in his name.