Why ?

after OUR 50 YEARS

A ROMANCE OF FIVE DECADES

Or how we did not kill each other over the years.
A Tale of two gay guys who got together when they were teenagers and survived all the fights, quarrels, bickering and jealousy and just celebrated our 50 Year Anniversary by getting married in San Francisco on February 15,2004.

MARVIN AND BILL
our story

50 years together

On April Fools Day 2004

Bill and Marvin celebrated 50 years together as Partners.
And they said "It wouldn't last!"

It started with "Lust"
It continues with "Love"
It lasted this long with "Luck"
BUT the LUCK ran out in March of 2005

William Duane Swenor
July 6, 1938 -March 7, 2005

WILLIAM DUANE SWENOR
Life partner and spouse of 51 years, passed away suddenly on Monday, March 7, 2005. Bill was 66 when he died. He was born in Flint, Michigan, on July 6, 1938.
Bill has lived in Hayward since 1968.
Bill is survived by his life partner and spouse, Marvin Burrows; family members, Tina Thompson and family, Dan and Danny Burrows, and Al and Jan Burrows; and his many pets.
On February 15, 2004, Bill and Marvin were married in San Francisco City Hall by California Assemblyman Mark Leno.
The California Supreme Court invalidated that marriage six months later.
Bill was employed by Owens Illinois Warehouse in Oakland for 38 years, working the graveyard shift as a warehouseman. Bill was an avid golfer as well as a cigar and coffee connoisseur. Bill made many golf buddies over the years, especially his favorite, Tina Conboy. Bill was a successful long-distance bicycle rider who did several coast to coast Canadian rides in addition to several Canada to Mexico rides via the Coast Highway. Bill was a professional motorcycle racer for many years, winning over 40 trophies.
Bill was a supporter or member of the Democratic Party, ACLU, Hayward DEMOS, and Lavender Seniors of the East Bay, GLOBE, the Lighthouse Community Center, EQCA, MECA, Gay & Lesbian Task Force and the Human Rights Campaign.

A Memorial Celebration of Bill's Life was held at the Lavender Seniors' monthly potluck at the San Leandro Community Church, 1395 Bancroft in San Leandro, at noon on Saturday, March 12, 2005. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Tides/Lavender Seniors of the East Bay, The Lighthouse Community Center or SOS Meals on Wheels, Hayward.

LAVENDER SENIORS TO CELEBRATE ACTIVIST

Saturday, March 12, 2005

FROM THE DAILY REVIEW STAFF REPORTS

HAYWARD —
A memorial celebration will be held at noon Saturday for William "Bill" Duane Swenor, who, along with spouse Marvin Burrows, was one of several thousand same-sex couples to marry at San Francisco City Hall in February 2004.

Swenor, 67, died in his sleep Monday of what paramedics believe was a heart attack, said Burrows, his high school sweetheart and life partner of 51 years.

Although Swenor was the more reserved of the two, they were active members of gay support organizations, including the Lavender Seniors outreach for gay men and women over 55.

"He was the power behind the activist," said Burrows, who himself suffered from heart disease and expected Swenor to outlive him.

A native of Flint, Mich., Swenor moved to Hayward in 1968 and has lived here ever since. He worked as warehouseman for Owens Illinois Warehouse in Oakland for 38 years.

Burrows was thankful he and Swenor could marry, although the union was later challenged in court. But the marriage license didn't change how they felt toward each other, he said.

"We always felt we were just like anyone else," Burrows said. "Married, committed and in love."

The memorial celebration will be held at the Lavender Seniors' monthly potluck at the San Leandro Community Church, 1395 Bancroft Ave., San Leandro.