Memorial services will be 11:00am, Saturday August 18, 2018 at Park Avenue Church of Christ in Denison with Todd Catteau officiating.
In B.J.’s own words, he writes: “I was born in Hollis, Oklahoma on February 7, 1924. My parents were Jesse and Lola Long. I graduated from Lawton High School in 1942 and later enrolled at the Oklahoma University. I volunteered for service as an Aviation student and graduated from Pilot Training in 1944. My career was primarily as a Fighter Pilot. During my 29 years of service, I flew the P-39, P-40, P-38, P-47, P-51, F-82, F-80, T-33, F-94, F-86, F-102 and F-101. In addition, I flew numerous support and training aircraft such as the Piper Cub, PT-19, BT-13, AT-6, T-28, 0-2, UC-78, C-45, C-47 and C-54. I decided to retire in 1972 as my duties as Hancock Field Base Commander limited my flying time. I retired as a regular Air Force Lt/Colonel with a Command Pilot rating. My overseas assignments were in Panama, Germany, Okinawa, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. My three separate tours at Perrin AFB were most enjoyable. It was a pleasure to be one of the founders of the P.F.H.S. Museum!, Autobiography of Lt/Col.(Ret) Billy Joe (B.J.) Long”
After B.J.’s first wife, Maxine Long, passed away, he rekindled his first sweetheart’s flame that he grew up with and graduated High School with, Pug Long. They were married in Las Vegas in 1974 and have been together ever since. They loved to travel to B.J’s Flying 58 reunion every year together. B.J. was well engrained in Grayson County as he owned Long Realty and served as past President of the Board of Realtors, Assoc., past President of Denison Country Club, known then as the Rod and Gun Club, has won Realtor of the Year award and the Mayor of Denison even declared B.J. Long Day on his 90th birthday. But through all of his accomplishments and awards, B.J. stayed true to himself as the laid back man everyone knew him for.
B.J. is survived by his wife of 44 years, Pug Long of Denison; his son Larry Long and wife Pam of Denison; daughter Ree Murphy of Garland; step-son Michael Birdsong and partner Robert Stewart of Dallas; grandchildren Craig, Scott, Suellen, Kristi, Misti, Erik, and Erin; great-grandchildren Jonah, Abbey, Logan, Jaxon, Kellan, Jett, Madisyn, and Austin.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Perrin Air Force Base Museum, 426 McCullum Ave., Denison, TX 75020.
Personal condolences may be made to the Long family at www.bratcherfuneralhome.com
