Bill Gene Long
July 11, 1929 ~ August 4, 2024
Born in:
Eldorado, Oklahoma
Resided in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Celebration of Life:
Bill Gene Long, 95, passed away on August 4, 2024. Born July 11, 1929, in Eldorado, Oklahoma to Sterling and Emma Long. Bill moved to a farm in Cedaredge, Colorado as a young boy and later moved to Olathe, Colorado, where he and his family lived in an adobe house built on the family ranch. He graduated from Olathe High School in 1947. He later married his wife, Joy Lou, on her 18th birthday on February 22, 1951. He was drafted and deployed to Korea three weeks later. He was so proud of his military service and served meritoriously earning many medals, ribbons, and a Purple Heart. They lived in Indiana and Texas before settling down in Pueblo, Colorado, were they raised their family. He is survived by his loving children, Betty (Ron) Nufer of Pueblo, Harold (Katie) Long of Pueblo West, and Laura Wittrup of Pueblo. He was a devoted and loving grandpa to his grandchildren; Patti Williams of Pueblo, Jennifer (Nick) Nidey of Pueblo, Kandace (Jason) Gecewicz of Pueblo West, Jason Long of Pueblo West, Megan (Rob) Young of Pueblo West, Tyler Wittrup and his fiancée, Katelyn Huddleston of Colorado Springs. He also shared a special relationship with his twelve great-grandchildren; Jagger Williams, Aubree Gecewicz, Addy Kuhn, Logunn Gecewicz, Chase Nidey, Nathan Long, Landon Young, Haven Kuhn, Ellie Long, Brock Nidey, Baylea Young, and Sloane Nidey. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and close friends who enhanced his life throughout the years. Preceded in death by his wife of almost 71 years, Joy Long; parents, Sterling and Emma Long; brother, Leland Long; sisters, Helen Hill and Shirley Kurtz; nephew Leroy Long. Bill enjoyed gardening, fishing, camping, woodworking, creating friendships, and he especially enjoyed homemade banana black walnut ice cream shared with his family and friends. A memorial service will be held September 6, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. in the Montgomery & Steward Funeral Chapel. Military honors and interment will follow at Imperial Memorial Gardens Cemetery. During Bill’s last year, he resided in the Veteran’s Community Living Center (CLC) in Pueblo, where he was lovingly and compassionately cared for by the entire CLC staff. Throughout his childhood, Bill had a passion for horses. While residing at the CLC, he always looked forward to visits with Hope through Hooves, an equine therapy organization whose mission is to support and serve veterans. In memory of Bill, the family would appreciate donations made in his name to: Hope through Hooves, 25550 Hillside Road, Pueblo, Colorado 81006. Online condolences at www.MontgomerySteward.com
Services
Memorial Service: September 6, 2024 10:30 am
Montgomery & Steward Funeral Chapel
1317 N. Main Street
Pueblo, CO 81003
719-542-1552
http://www.montgomerysteward.com
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To the family,
I’m so sorry to hear/see Bill’s passing. I was such a pleasure to know him. He always joked with me when I came to care for Joy & always was very kind. I always admired the love the two of them had for each other.and was a pleasure getting to know the family & hear stories of their lives. I just drove by their house the other day thinking of him(them . & I was just looking for the macaroon recipe Joy shared) My thoughts & prayers to all of you. Angel Ganatta
Our deepest condolences.
Doris, while looking through photos for dad’s service, we actually found a photo of Bobby and me as babies that was taken at your house. Thank you for remembering dad.
My dearest Betty Boop.
Such a beautiful service and I send my sincerest
condolences for the loss of your father and much loved family man.
May you and your families rest in the knowledge that he will forever be with you in your hearts.
Sending much love from across the big blue pond.
Love Cate xxx
Your dad’s amazing personality lives on through you. May you look back on the precious memories and find peace among friends and family.
Take Care Harold.
Thank you, Vai. The thoughts and support I have received from my Trane colleagues is very much appreciated. Thank you for helping to remember my dad. He will be missed.
Mom, Dad, and our entire family shared a special relationship ship with your family. Thank you for loving them all these years.
Emily, I know, dad cherished all the memories and experiences he had with you and your family. You and your family have been a lot to us over the years. Thank you for always being there and we appreciate your support.
It seemed he never ran out of entertaining things, even in normal activities. Like when he was sitting on the sofa one lazy afternoon and your mom was laying down with her feet in his lap taking a nap. He decided it would be easier to put his cigarette between your mom’s toes between puffs rather than to reach to the ashtray on the end table. Worked well until he dozed off too and the whole neighborhood got woke up when the fire touched your mom’s foot.
We love you guys so much and are so sorry for your loss. He was a great person, man and war hero. He will be missed greatly and you were lucky to have him all these years.
Thank you for sharing your memories and for being a part of his service. You’re right. We were blessed to have had him and Mom for as long as we did. They are both missed.
The loss of Bill leaves a deep void in all of our lives.
He was a man of great character and a man with a great character!
We will all miss his wonderful stories and great hugs.
Even though we were not “blood” relatives, he was my favorite Uncle.
I certainly enjoyed the time I got to spend with him and his amazing family.
I Love You All!
“Family isn’t always blood. It’s the people in your life who want you in theirs. The ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.” Maya Angelou
Mom and Dad loved you both so much and always looked forward to your visits. You were always so loving and generous with them and we are grateful to have you in our lives. I love you very much.
Thanks, Diane and Mike for making the trip out here. It meant a lot to me and my family that you were here to share this with us. Your family is always been very special to us and we appreciate everything you’ve done over the years.
Thank you for your thoughts and for remembering dad. It is very much appreciated. I hope you are all doing well.
Thank you for loving him. He asked about you often, always wanting to know if you were doing okay. I’ll always remember him shaking your hand and thanking you for giving Ty your truck so that he had reliable vehicle to help keep him safe. 💕
Thanks, Kim for the thoughts and memories. I know dad always enjoy talking with you. Thank you for your thoughts and for being at celebration of life.
Johnny and Loretta Bridges send our love, hugs, and condolences to the entire family. Bill, Joy, Hoyt, and Rozelle welcomed us with open arms
when we pulled into Travelport Campground in 1999. We remained friends all these years. They were extended family to us. I know they are having a great reunion with all that went ahead of Bill. I can hear Bill now saying, Joy answer the phone!! This was an ongoing joke with us. Thank you to all of the Long family for sharing Bill and Joy with us. We love you all!!❤️❤️
Mom and Dad shared a special relationship with you both and always looked forward to your visits and phone calls. Know that they are with Aunt Rozelle and Uncle Hoyt hosting a fish fry or a pot luck now that they are together again. Thanks for your love and friendship over the years.
Uncle Bill and my Daddy had such a special bond and loved fishing together or just sitting in lawn chairs visiting with the other men at Lake George and chasing the shade.
I hold man, many memories near and dear!!!
You are all in my heart and prayers! The world just lost a wonderful man but heaven gained one! Uncle Bill, Aunt Joy Lou, Mom and Daddy are together again, fishing and laughing!
I love you all so much 💜. My sympathies are with you all. I wish I could be there but hugging you in my heart 💜✝️💜.
Most of our childhood memories involve our families together. Picnics on top of Monarch Pass, fishing, home made ice cream, Texas burgers, and Grandma Blanscet’s peanut butter cookies to name a few. Thanks for being a part of his service and for your love.
Thanks, Cindy for the kind thoughts and memories. Our families had a lot of good times . I know it meant a lot to dad and I want to thank you and your family for being there For him. I hope you are doing well. Thanks for remembering dad.
Mike, Uncle Hoyt was always his “brother from another mother.” They had the best time together. We love you all so much.
Mike, I want to thank you and Diane for making the trip out here. It was very much appreciated as I know you have a lot going on right now. Dad really loved you and your family. Thanks for all you’ve done over the years.
Thanks Kathy. Dad will be missed. He thought the world of you and your family. Hope you are doing well.
Condolences to Bill’s family. Bill and Joy were friends with my grandparents and parents, The Trotter’s. How time flies by.
Rest in peace together, Bill and Joy Long.
With sympathy,
Krissy Blackmore
Thank you Kris. Mom and dad enjoyed spending time with your family at Aspen Acres. They made a lot of friends and special memories for sure. Thanks for remembering them.
My condolences to all the Long family.
Bill was a special, unique person. In the 50’s, he and Joy stayed with us inbetween jobs and places to live. We had a lot of fun times back then. He and and his brother, (my brother in law, Lee), could be quite the cut ups and I have alot of good memories of him. I always felt very close to Bill.