Rev. William I. (Billy) Long

Reverend William (Billy) I. Long passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 10th at age 88.  Born to Ethel and Lee Long in 1932 in the Blackjack community in Decatur county, “Brother Bill” spent almost all of his life in Georgia, graduating from Cairo High School and going on to attend Norman College. Bill married his high school sweetheart, Lois Cawthon in 1952 and together they went on to Mercer University and then to Southeastern Theological Seminary where he earned a Master’s of Divinity.  From the age of 19, he pastored multiple churches in Georgia before joining the Georgia Baptist Convention in the Evangelism Division in 1973. Later Brother Bill joined the Home Mission Board where he spent many years working with church planters across the country. Even in retirement, Rev. Long continued to serve his Lord through pastoral care to many churches across the state of Georgia.
 
Preceded in death by his parents and  brother, Bobby Long.  Billy is also survived by his wife, Lois Ann Long, whom he loved dearly for over 68 years, and two daughters, Diane Long Blocker (Wayne), Gloria Long Gilmore (Taylor). He was blessed with four grandchildren: Daniel Blocker (Brittany), Anna Blocker Smith (Jason), Scott Davis (Kathryn) and Patrick Davis (Whitney) and five great grandchildren; Grace Ann, MAC, and Elizabeth Blocker, and Ruthanne and Rebekah Davis. He is also survived by his sister, Ann Miller and brothers, Sammy, Jimmy, and Eddie Long, as well as nieces, nephews and other relatives.
 
Many will remember Bill for his love for the Lord, his Georgia Bulldogs, and fishing, but his family will always be grateful for his commitment to being the world's greatest “Papa,” especially his grandchildren whom he cherished. He will be truly missed in this life.
 
A private family memorial will be held Sunday, November 15 at Jones and Son Funeral Home in Moselle, MS to celebrate the life of our beloved Papa. Due to COVID, a graveside memorial will be held at a later date at Memorial Park in Gainesville, Georgia.
 
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary c/o Financial Development Office,  Box 1889, Wake Forest, NC 27588 (memo line: Bill and Lois Long Scholarship Fund)  or https://www.sebts.edu/alumni-and-friends/friends/give.aspx (For the Students: Bill & Lois Long Scholarship) benefiting students in pastoral ministry.

Memorial Park Funeral Home, 2030 Memorial Park Road, Gainesville, GA  30504 is in charge of arrangements.

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