Sr. Master Sgt. Billy Ray Long (retired), 71, a resident of Loxley and longtime resident of Houston County, Ala., passed away Tuesday, Feb. 3, 2015.
Mr. Long was a U.S. Air Force veteran, who retired after more than 42 years of military service. His military career spanned from December 1960 to November 2003 and included service in the Alabama Army and Air National Guard and the Florida Air National Guard.
After retiring from the Air Force, he worked for a defense contractor where he continued to serve his country.
He was a proud member of Masonic Lodge No. 466 in Dothan.
Mr. Long was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond Long and Maxine White Long Cain; and his brother, Larry Long.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy Long, of Loxley; daughters, Lori (Keith) Sellers of Newton and Simona Long of Dothan; son, Scotty (Debby) Long of Cottonwood; sisters, Delories (Jimmy) Posey of Ashford and Pam Long of Dothan; aunts, Margaret (Ray) Carter of Phenix City and Mary Jo Knowles of Milton, Fla.; uncle, Bill White of Dothan; seven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and many special nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service will be held Friday, Feb. 6, 2015, at 2 p.m., at Mack Funeral Home in Robertsdale.
The family will begin receiving friends one hour prior to the service at Mack Funeral Home.
A memorial service will also be held in Dothan on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2015, at 2 p.m., at Sunset Memorial.
The family will begin receiving friends one hour prior to that service, also.
Burial services with full military honors will be held at Sunset Memorial Park.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House or to the USO.
Arrangements by Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, Robertsdale.
