J. W. Long

J. W. Long, 101, of Abilene, Texas, passed away on Sunday, July 28, 2013 in Abilene. Visitation for J. W. will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 31, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 1, in The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel with Dale Morrison officiating. Burial will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park. J. W. was born on June 7, 1912, in Caps, Texas to Walter and Vida Kendall Long. J. W. attended Caps School and then went to work for his uncle, Edgar Kendall, farming and ranching. He worked for his uncle for 18 years. J. W. married Theo Richards on October 13, 1934. They lived in the View and Caps area until 1962 when they moved to Abilene. They were proud parents to Jerry Long who was born in 1950. J. W. worked for the W.P. Wright Company for 25 years and Abilene Linen for eight years before retiring. After retirement J. W. and Theo traveled for many years, taking more than 50 trips, most of them with Bilbrey Tours. J. W. was the happiest when he was helping others. He and Theo were volunteers for many groups and organizations in Abilene, such as West Texas Rehab, Abilene Chamber of Commerce, Abilene ISD and many, many more. J. W. was a member of View Baptist Church. In addition to his parents, J. W. was preceded in death by his son Jerry in 2004, one brother and two sisters. J. W. is survived by his wife Theo; niece Betty Doss of Houston, Texas; nephews Billy, Les and Jim Richards of Abilene, and Don Richards of Anaheim, California; and numerous cousins, including Kay, Larry, Mack David and Joe Richards, Patsy Jester, Ben Jones and Mildred Phillips. Pallbearers will be Marshall Wharton, Al McLoughlin, Les Richards, Larry Richards, Charles Brewer and Billy Richards. Honorary pallbearers are Don Richards, Mack David Richards and Eddie Plowman. The family wishes to thank the staff at Care Inn of Abilene and Hospice of the Big Country for their love and care given to J. W. Memorials may be made in J.W.’s name to West Texas Rehab Center, 4601 Hartford Street, Abilene, TX 79605, or View Baptist Church, 250 Boynton Road, Abilene, TX 79606.