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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

William David

William David Long Profile Photo

Long

August 22, 1933 – April 24, 2019

Obituary

St. George, Utah – It is with great sorrow to say that my beloved husband passed away on the 24th April 2019 after having spent a very tough year in and out of the hospital, and never sick before. He was cared for at home for the last eight weeks including eleven days on hospice, with me as caretaker.
Bill was born on 22nd August 1933 in Indianapolis, Indiana to Arnold Jacob Long, Sr. and Margaret Marie Owens. He spent his entire childhood as a farm boy in Martinsville, Indiana. During his youth he was in the band. He played the baritone horn, a Madrigal singer, and a member of the National Thespian Society. In 1950 he graduated from Martinsville High School at the age of 16. He joined the Air Force at age 17 with his older brother, A.J.
While in the Air Force, he taught electronics and worked as a turret mechanic. He received an Honorable Discharge as a Staff Sergeant. Bill obtained a Bachelor's Degree of Science in Electrical Engineering from Cal State Fullerton, graduating Suma Cum Laude in 1972.
Bill married Patricia Joann Stewart in 1955. Pat and Bill had four daughters: Karen Sue (Terry) Rafferty, Krista Kay (Bo) O'Connor, Kathy Joann (Joe) Machado and Kimbra Lynn Long. He is also survived by his sister, Dortha Lou Buster and countless nieces and nephews and their families. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Arnold Jacob Long, Jr.; and his former spouse, Patricia Joann Hadji.
I, Candace, met Bill in 1985 at an engineering meeting at Hughes Aircraft Corporation while I was an engineering sales rep for Sabritec in Irvine, CA and he was a Sr. Scientist Engineer. We quickly became best friends. He was extremely modest and probably would have blushed at what I have to say. He was the most capable person I have ever known. He could do anything He played the guitar, sang and danced. He was a champion golfer. He could ride a bike from Fullerton, CA to San Diego, CA. He climbed Mt. Whitney, He could fix and build anything and everything. Nothing went unattended.
When we first met in 1985 I had three children: Ted, 22, Michael 16 and Deborah, 14, still at home. We were engaged in 1986 then after three more years we were married. He retired in 1993 after 27 years with Hughes Aircraft. While employed by Hughes Aircraft, he received recognition for developing several patents for the benefit of the company. He then built us a ranch in Nevada where we had four horses, two dogs, a cat and a duck. Life was always a great adventure with Billy. We had a motorhome and traveled much of the country together. We had homes in Indiana and So California. He worked for Pelican Hill Golf Club as a starter, and then he worked for 12 years in the Mill Works Department of Home Depot selling and stocking doors and windows which was quite a feat for an 85 year old. He worked the last five years here in St. George, Utah. He was an amazing selfless son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother and uncle. My family was so blessed to have him in their lives, and they think he is the greatest ever. Together after 34 years we have combined 29 offspring, a three year old miniature Schnoodle which he adored. He is very deeply loved and missed by all.
Graveside services will be held 1st August 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at the Mira Mar National Veterans Cemetery, La Jolla, California.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William David Long, please visit our flower store.

Funeral Services

Graveside Services

August
1

Mira Mar National Veterans Cemetery

, San Diego, CA

Starts at 11:30 am

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