William (Bill) Long was born in Steeleville, MO on December 18, 1924 to John C. and Pearl (nee Huitt) Long. Bill spent his early days in Steeleville with brothers James, John Jr. and sister Lorraine. Bill at a very early age, helped his father in the blacksmith shop pumping the bellows for the fire that heated up the horseshoes for the blacksmith. In or around 1931 his parents divorced, his mother and the children moved to the city of St. Louis. He worked at jobs as a newsboy and delivery boy during the depression in the city. On December 8, 1941 he inlisted in the US Navy and on December 18, his 17th birthday, he was sworn in. While in bootcamp he was trained on the 20 mm anti-aircraft gun. His first assignment was aboard the newly commisioned USS Laffey the DD-459 in March of 1942.

On Friday November 13, 1942, 13 US Navy ships engaged in one of the most fierce nighttime naval battles in US Naval history. It was the Battle for Guadalcanal. the US forces went ahead on with the enemy and The USS Laffey was one of several ships sunk. The survivors were picked up by the US Marines and taken to Guadalcanal. Bill recovered from wounds and was on several other ships till the end of the war, and was honorably Discharged on Decenber 18, 1945 with the following awards- The Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific theatre Medal with 3 battle stars, American Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal, Japanese Occupation Medal, and the Phillipine Liberation Medal.

Bill married his wartime pen pal sweetheart Mary Alice Jentsch after the war on March 4, 1946 and they moved to Caseyville, Illinois shortly after, they built a small home and had three children. Bill worked for the railroad, a meatpacking plant, and was a boilermaker. Later in life he was an avid welder, CB'er, fisherman and stained-glass maker, a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Troy, Illinois. Bill was also a member of the Troy VFW and Past Commander of the American Legion in Troy. His wife Mary Alice passed away on March 2, 1996 just two days short of their 50th wedding anniversary. He was a loving dad, grandpa, great-grandpa, uncle and all around good friend and will be missed by all that knew him.

Memorial services for Bill will be held Thursday June 30, 2011 at 7 pm at the funeral Home with Rev. Mitchel Schuessler officiating..

Visitation will be held from 5 to service time at 7 pm on Thursday.

Memorials may be made to the Fisher House at Jefferson Barracks, and sent to Roger Alon, VFW Post Troy, IL 62294 or Hospice of Southern Illinois.

LAUGHLIN~RICHESON FUNERAL HOME
Troy, Illinois