William James “Jim” Sweat Sr., born to the late Joseph U. and Edith (Burr) Sweat in Henry County, New Castle, Indiana on October 21, 1935. Jim grew up on a farm southwest of Spiceland, Indiana and graduated from Spiceland High School. He was an US Air Force veteran, completed his basic training at Sampson Air Force Base, Romulus, NY. After finishing AIT at Chanute Air Force Base he became a Hydraulics Instructor which took him on many adventures from base to base teaching Hydraulics systems on the F100 aircraft.
Jim met and married Wilma Joan Shoaf December 22, 1956 and moved to Clovis, New Mexico. After completing his 4 years in the Air Force they moved back to New Castle, Indiana, while living there the first of their 5 sons, Gregory was born and after a time moved to St. Louis Missouri to attended Diesel Technology School. Upon completion of school he began working at Cummins Diesel in St. Louis, MO. While in St. Louis their second son, Jeffory was born.
Hearing that Grant County, Indiana was a booming county in the early 60’s they moved to Marion for a brief time working for a trucking company in Gas City, Indiana, at this period in time truck’s were still gas powered.
After living in Marion for a brief time they moved to rural Grant County and then their Third son, William J. Sweat II was born. Jim had multiple Diesel trucking companies try to hire him, he switched job’s many times always improving himself each time. In 1965 he purchased a building in Fowlerton and started his own Diesel business while still working a fulltime job with other companies. Around 1966 he and his wife decided to purchase a new home on Rush St. in Fairmount, then came their Fourth son, Daryl. After 2 years they decided they were done with town living and moved to rural Grant County again, this time buying a small farm. In the 70’s their 5 and final son, Bradley was born.
In the early 90’s Jim decided to get into the Sprint car racing, starting from scratch building the Wee 3 Racing Team. This was one of his biggest enjoyments in life working on his cars. Always building his own engines and other parts for his race cars.
Jim’s wife Joan died in December 2012 and his son Brad died in April 2018.
Jim peacefully died at his home with 3 of his granddaughters at his side on Thursday September 27, 2018 with the rest of the family waiting for word of his death. Jim was proud of his sons, Greg (Mary Ann), Jeff (Tracey), Jim Jr., Daryl (Kerri) and Brad (Deceased) and daughter-in-law, Jill Sweat, his 19 grandchildren and 27 great-grandchilren.
Services for Jim will be 10:00 AM Tuesday October 2, 2018 at Fairmount Chapel, Armes-Hunt Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 415 S. Main St., Fairmount, IN with Rev. Greg Sweat and Rev. Mark Hummel officiating. Interment will be in Park Cemetery, Fairmount, Indiana The family will receive friends 4-8 PM Monday October 1, 2018 at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Park Cemetery Veterans Memorial in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be made at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com