By Staff
Chief Warrant Officer 4 Wellington (Bill) Byrns Long, Jr. USMC Retired, died Saturday, January 27, 2007 at Craven Regional Medical Center at the age of 86.
Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Wednesday at Pollock-Best Funeral Chapel with the Revs. Danny Allen and Charlene Guider officiating. Burial will follow at New Bern National Cemetery with military honors.
A veteran of World War II (awarded Purple Heart with star), the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, he retired in 1970, from MCAS Cherry Point, after 32 years of service and was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal.
He was designated a Marine Gunner in 1957. An expert marksman, he coached USMC pistol and rifle teams.
He was then employed by Kansas City Life Insurance Company as a Certified Life Underwriter, consistently achieving the National Quality Award.
He was a member of Centenary United Methodist Church where he enjoyed being a part of the Asbury Men’s Sunday school class. He was also a member of the local and national chapters of the Marine Officer’s Association, the Navy League, Cherry Point Lodge No. 688 A.F. &A.M., New Bern Scottish Rite Bodies, Sudan Temple, and the New Bern Shrine Club.
He is survived by his widow, Lucille Banks Long; two daughters, Margaret Elaine Long Duke and husband Thomas of Sterling, Virginia, and Anne Long Jamison and husband Forrest of Havelock; six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his first wife, the former Ruth Caroon Long.
The family will receive friends from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday evening at the funeral home. Flowers are appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to Centenary United Methodist Church, the Asbury Men’s Sunday school class, the Sudan Crippled Children’s Hospital, or to the charity of one’s choice.
An online guestbook is available at www.pollockbest.com.
Arrangements by Pollock-Best Funerals and Cremations.
Paid Obituary