Edward Bernard Swanzy, 89, of Vestavia Hills, died Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at his home.
He was born July 9, 1937, in Selma, Alabama, to Bernard and Janie Walthall Swanzy. He proudly served his country as a member of the Air National Guard and was a graduate of the University of Alabama.
Bernard built a meaningful career as an accountant for the Alabama Power Company. Beyond his professional life, his true sanctuary was the outdoors. He possessed a lifelong passion for raising and hunting with English setter bird-deer dogs, but his greatest joy was simply spending time in the woods of McDowell, Alabama, alongside his son, Edward.
A conservationist, he was a forester who lovingly grew timber and a deer hunter who dedicated himself to managing the herd without ever wishing to harvest them. For Bernard, the fulfillment was always found in the quiet labor, not the reward.
He also treasured the simple joys of life, always looking forward to vacations to Fort Walton on the Gulf Coast with family. He also loved the time he and Margaret spent babysitting as surrogate grandparents to Aryanna and Sydney Oyler, along with Rhett, Hill, Miles, and Hutch Hughen.
He is survived by his wife, Margaret Rachel Swanzy; his son, Edward Bernard Swanzy, Jr.; and his sister, Mary Jane Barger.
Visitation was held at First United Methodist Church Demopolis on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. until the 2:00 p.m. service time, with Rev. John Woodrow officiating. Burial followed at Demopolis Memorial Gardens.
