William Leonard Sweda
William Leonard Sweda, 57, of Santa Barbara, died unexpectedly on Sunday, May 11, 2025.
Born in Port Jefferson, New York, to Robert William Sweda and Christine Zella Sainsbury, Will spent his early years on the East Coast and in the Bay Area of California before moving to Illinois as a teenager. He graduated from Downers Grove South High School in 1986, and later returned to California to study mortuary science at Cypress College.
While in school, Will began interning at Welch-Ryce-Haider Funeral Chapels in Santa Barbara — where he would go on to spend his entire career as a licensed Funeral Director, Embalmer, and Crematory Manager from 1989 until his passing.
In 1994, he married Elizabeth “Betsy” Adams, and in 2003, they welcomed their daughter, Isabella Grace. Though their marriage later dissolved, they remained devoted co-parents. In 2007, Will married Kelly Kathleen Altshuler, becoming stepfather to her son, Isaac Solomon, and father to Francesca Ann, born in 2010.
Will had a deep love for Italy — its food, culture, wine, music, and motorcycles — visiting more than a dozen times. In 2022, he rode his 1961 Bianchi Tonale from Milan to Sicily, later tattooing the route on his forearm. A recent highlight was seeing his favorite artist, Jovanotti, live in Rome.
A passionate home cook, Will was known for his handmade focaccia, pizza dough, and gourmet meals. Whether it was ribeye steak or something more adventurous like boar, quail, rabbit, or octopus, Will showed his love through food and drink — always with impeccable attention to detail.
He also cherished time in his garage workshop, sipping red wine, listening to Italian music, and tinkering with his motorcycle.
Will is survived by his wife, Kelly Sweda; children Isabella, Francesca, and Isaac; parents Bob and Donna Sweda; siblings Jon (Signe), Marc (Amber), and Michelle (Dave); stepfather Paul Briner; mother-in-law Cindy Walker; sister-in-law Corey Villicana; and nieces and nephews Sebastian, Emilie, Brooklyn, Blake, Charley, Tyler, and Robbie.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Christine Sainsbury Briner.
Funeral Mass
Thursday, May 29, 2025 – 10:00 a.m. Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Santa Barbara, California
Graveside Service to follow Santa Barbara Cemetery
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Isabella and Francesca’s educational funds.
Details on how to contribute will be made available at the funeral service, and added to Will’s obituary at https://www.wrhsb.com/obituaries/william-sweda/#!/Obituary
