Bill Dan Long, 71, of Tampa, FL passed away at his residence on September 30, 2007 of natural causes. A native of McCaysville, GA and a local Tampa, FL resident since 1979, when he moved here from Atlanta, GA; he was a Christian, a retired Ramp Agent for 38 years working for United Airlines; a husband, father, brother and grandfather. Preceded in death by his wife, Linda in August 2007, he is survived by his loving family; a son, Philip Long of Ocala, FL; daughters; Marisa Anthony and son-in-law, Thomas of Lakeland, FL and Patricia Maldonado and son-in-law, Jose of Wesley Chapel, FL; a brother, Albert Gary Long and sister-in-law, Linda Gayle of Douglasville, GA; sisters; Rachel Ann Lackey and brother-in law, Don of Acworth, GA and Dora Lynn Long of Cleveland, TN; seven grandchildren: Chase Long and Chase?s mother, Katherine Soos; Hunter Davis and Hunter?s mother, Jennifer Davis; Alyssa and Alex Maldonado; Katherine, Rachel and Parker Anthony. Graveside service is 2:30 PM, Tuesday afternoon, October 9, 2007 at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL with full military honors by the Marion County Military Honors Funeral Team. The family requests, that in lieu of flowers, to please make a donation to East Pasco Care Center, 37439 Clinton Avenue, Dade City, FL 33525 in the memory of Bill Dan and Linda M. Long. VETERANS FUNERAL CARE-CLEARWATER, FL. 727-467-0922
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I WILL MISS BILL SO VERY MUCH. I AM SO HONORED TO HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED A PART OF HIS AND LINDA’S FAMILY, THEY ALWAYS WELCOMED ME WITH OPEN ARMS. THANK YOU FOR ALL THE MEMORIES AND LAUGHTER YOU HAVE SHARED WITH ME AND CHASE. I KNOW THAT YOU ARE TOGETHER WITH LINDA AGAIN, WATCHING OVER US.
LOVE AND MEMORIES, KATHERINE and CHASE
We are so sorry to hear about Bill’s passing. And so close to losing your mother. We send you our sympathy.
Dick and Sue Riedl
To Patricia, Marissa, and Phillip:
Harvey and I are keeping you and your families in our prayers during this time of loss of both Uncle Bill and Aunt Linda. I have great memories of Uncle Bill when I was a child; he seemed to always have a smile on his face. I can hear his voice and laughter now. I looked forward to the summers when Aunt Linda would visit with MaryAnne, Elaine, and Lois. Your Mom was always my favorite; she was just so much fun to be with. When my mother died, someone comforted me with these words from the Bible, “Absence from the body is presence with the Lord”. May it comfort you now. Theresa
Bill, we’ll all miss you and also share the grief
of your blessed family. Eternally rest in peace.
Dear Bro. We Will Miss You Until we join up with you again, Please don’t wade to fast up the old trout stream. We love you dearly.
BILL AND I WORKED TOGETHER FOR OVER 35YRS. I AM SORRY TO HEAR OF HIS PASSING. CONDOLENCES TO HIS ENTIRE FAMILY. GOD BLESS
LEWIS ESTES
Dear Brother…I shall miss you as much as each day since I have seen you which is a whole lot to say the least. Our childhood days will never be forgotten as a united force of love and respect for each other and the forever respectable parents who showed us the way. I love you sister Ann
My condolences to all of Bills family. I have many fond memories of working crossword puzzles with Bill in between flights. And many conversations about so many subjects. He will be missed. Jennie Santacroce TPAOZ Ret.
Thank you for your notes, prayers, thoughts, stories shared, and for being there for me, Patricia, Philip and our families. It means much more than you can ever know!
I hope your days will be many, your difficulties few, and that you will make the most of each day God has given to you and yours.
What a blessing to have had parents who loved us and each other so very much!
We are strengthened and comforted by their enduring love.
MY GARDEN
May your garden grow as beautiful as mine!
I have three favorite trees
and seven more that are taking root nicely.
The rose tree in my garden is my Linda
and my rose, she will forever be.
We planted much together you see!
Alas, we were not quite finished.
But on we have gone and, here, you remain . . .
Take care of your garden, I say to each of you
and may your garden be as beautiful as mine!
Uncle Bill and I always had a very good relationship and keep in touch with each other through letters and phone calls. He was a good and smart man. I’ll miss him very much.
I miss many of the conversations and times we would discuss airline issues. Our hearts and prayers for your family. God bless.
Peter and Jolene Hutsko
Our love, prayers, and sympathies go out to the entire Long family on their recent losses. We had the privilege of seeing Mr. and Mrs. Long on a number of occasions over the past few years, and they were both kind and lovely people. We will miss them.
We were long time friends and co-workers and you be misses. My prayers are with your family.
Buck Bailey
My condolences to all of Bill’s loved ones. It has been many years since I worked with Bill, but I remember him fondly. My prayers are with you in your time of grief.
Thank you for keeping Marisa, Philip, and I along with our families in your prayers. I always knew Dad had lots of friends – what I learned yesterday when calling everyone was that you all are such kind and wonderful people, and you truly cared for Dad. I want to thank each of you for being a good friend to Dad and for having such fond memories to share. It was hard to call you all with the sad news – but each of you brought such comfort to me. May God continue to bless each of you and your families.
I will always remember…
Our many bike rides, trips to Stone Mountain, CLIMBING Stone Mountain, going on picnics, feeding the deers, our family trip to Cades Cove and walking the trail all the way to the waterfall – Mom breaking the heel off of her shoe on the trail and Dad carrying her out piggy back, the tree house in the crabapple tree that Dad built, the old tire swing in the lower yard – that was the most fun, the tee-pee that Dad built us – and playing Indians, watching our dog Lana have puppies- Dad wanted us to see new life coming into the world, ice skating at the Omni in Atlanta, always going to the circus, playing my clarinet at Lakewood Elementary to the tune of “Morning Has Broken” that was a favorite of Dad’s and he was crying through the entire song, going to the library almost every weekend – Dad believed in reading and wanted us to READ,READ,READ…going to the park in Atlanta and playing with the salamanders in the creek, having my own lawn cutting job that Dad helped me with to make sure I would not hurt myself, learning how to drive a manual stick in Dad’s old Volks Wagon Bug, Dad always harping on honesty – he made sure I have a strong conscience, Dad walking me down the aisle at my wedding, calling him and Mom to say you have your first grandchild…sweet Alyssa Marie, Dad driving me to and from Columbus, GA to Atlanta when I had my last surgery while Jose was in Iraq- they came and took care of me in a great time of need, sharing cherry vanilla ice cream, sitting on the porch in the back yard – not really talking about anything in particular, calling Dad to whine to him – and his being so patient and kind, going to the Hillsborough State Park with Alex, Dad, and Jose – Dad and Alex were so cute… Dad in his tilly hat and Alex in Dad’s old straw hat – both with water bottles tucked in their back pockets – loving nature, receiving partially worked crossword puzzles from Dad in the mail – it was his way to get me interested in working puzzles and expanding my vocabulary, going to Chase’s football game – and I was cold – Dad had me move to the other side so he could block the wind to keep me warm, and I will ALWAYS remember knowing that I was loved unconditionally by my Daddylongleggs who called me one of his “little pearls”… Dad you will always remain in my heart… may you rest peacefully. I love you.
Thank you Bill for being part of our family.Linda and you brought so many wonderful memories to us,that forever our love and prayers will be with you. Rest in peace.
Dora,Jose Manuel and Jose Antonio
New Bill a long time at United Airlines.So sorry he past away.He will be miss.Our condolence to all his family.
To Patricia Maldonado and all the family; My condolences for the death of your dad Bill.
My name is Yolanda Santiago; I’m sister inlaw of Dora Maldonado your mother inlaw.
Our prayers will be with you and family.
” No one is hopeless whose Hope is in God “
May God provide Patty and the rest of her family with the strength and the trust in God that is needed to bear the loss of her dear father.
To: Patricia, Marisa,and Philip …..
You and your family are loved dearly–
Although no words of sympathy can ease the loss you bear,
Still, may you find some comfort knowing others truly care…..I will always love and miss my Bill and Linda—until we meet again in heaven.
Bill’s life was a journey of sweetness and sorrow, of memories of Linda and hopes for tomorrow. Of pathways they chose and detours they faced with patience and humor, courage and grace,of joys they shared and of people they met, many of whom touched their lives in ways we will never forget.I
Trish, I was very sorry to hear of your Dad’s passing. I have been our of town for the last week nd half and just now checked my computer. I can’t comprehend the heartache you and your bother and sister are going through at this time. Just look to the lord for help and guidance to help you handle these trying times. I had sent him a card but it did get to him before hsi passing. Please pass my love and thoughts along to Marisa and Phillip. Love Richard and Joyce.
I worked with Bill in Tampa for six years, and unfortunately did not take the time to really get to know Bill….but one thing I did know, he was indeed a southern gentleman. My sincere condolences to the Long family.
Patty and Family
Patty, I am so sorry to hear about your father especially so soon after your mother passed away. God has a way of working things out and we never understand it but your parents are together as it was meant to be. It is not comforting because you miss them but let the fact that they are together comfort you and remember all the good times that you shared with them. May God bless you and your family.
Marisa and family –
You all are in my prayers always! I’m here to help you and your family anytime!
May God bless your family!
Marlene Henderson
TRISH AND FAMILY
SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR DAD. YOU WILL ALWAYS HAVESPECIAL MEMORIES ABOUT HIM AND ALSO YOUR MOM. THEY ARE TOGATHER NOW IN HEAVEN AND THAT IS WHERE THEY WOULD WANT TO BE TOGATHER IN HEAVEN. SORRY I WAS SO LONG IN GETTING BACK TO YOU, I’VE BEEN IN TEXAS AT MY BROTHER JOHN’S PLACE IN POST,TEX. JUST GOT IN TONIGHT, GIVE MY BEST TO ALL AND I LOVE YOU ALL LOVE LOIS
Dear Patricia, Marisa, and Philip,
How I know your hearts ache from losing both your Mom and Dad within a few weeks of each other. Your strength is remarkable, and I’m sure your faith and love for each other will help you find some peace. Your Mom and Dad were, and still are, your loving angels who are proud of each of you.
We love you,
Mary Ann and John
patricia,marisaandphilip-i was so sorry to hear about the loss of your mom and dad.it’s been years since i have seen them but my mom always let me know how they were doing.i have such fond memories of them from when i was little girl-your dad always waving to me riding my bike around the neighborhood and as i got older he always waved at me when he saw me driving around or gave me a big hug when ever i ran into him at the gas station.i’ll never forget the summer your mom baby sat for me while my dad was away at ft.bragg-god bless her for putting up with a whiny,bratty kid that didn’t want to go outside and play in the hot florida heat…..lol.they always had time to sit and talk with a bored little kid that had nothing to do.they were much loved and will be greatly missed.