William H. "Bill" Long's Obituary
Decatur – WIlliam H. “Bill” Long, 84, of Decatur, IL, passed away Friday, November 30, 2018, at his home.
Bill was born August 10, 1934, in Taylorville, IL, the son of Charles Franklin, Sr. and Hazel Verna (Price) Long. A U.S. Air Force veteran and member of Ss. James and Patrick Parish, Bill worked as a machinist at Caterpillar. He married Charlotte Anne Helmers, his one and only love, on September 13, 1952 in Taylorville, IL, and they shared 64 wonderful years together.
Bill loved playing guitar and singing country songs. He spent years enjoying camping, wood working and horses, but especially enjoyed being Papa.
Surviving are his children: William “Bill” Long of Dawsonville, GA, Suzanne (Chuck) Phegley of Clayton, N.C., Mona (Jerry) Jones of Altamont, John Long of Dawsonville, GA, Theresa Dial of Decatur, Randy Long of Cottageville, S.C., Tanya (James) Tucker of Richmond Hill, GA, and Christopher (Rachel) Long of Decatur; nineteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren; brothers: John R. (Beverly) Long of Stafford, VA, and Charles F. Long, Jr, of Ft. Worth, TX; sister-in-law Rose Marchand of Carville, LA; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; wife; grandson, Jacob William Long; three brothers and two sisters.
Visitation will be Tuesday, December 4, 2018, from 5 to 7 PM, at the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home; vigil prayer service will be at 4:30 pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 AM, Wednesday, December 5, 2018, at the St. James Catholic Church. Burial with military rites will follow in Harristown Twp. Cemetery.
The family of William H. “Bill” Long is being served by the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 2801 N. Monroe St., Decatur, IL 62526. Memories and condolences may be shared at www.moranandgoebel.com.
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