M.B. “Bill” Long, departed this life on March 9, 2023. He was born on December 11, 1932, in Lawrenceville, VA to the late Melvin and Hattie Long. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother Howard G. Long and a sister Gladys L. Faulconer.
Bill is survived by his long devoted special friend, partner, and wife, Patricia (Pat) Long, nephew Len Faulconer, and his wife, Teresa of Chesterfield, VA, a niece, Zane Finley and her son Zack of Forest, VA. Stepsons: Todd (his wife Maria), Blake Pribble and grandsons, Nikolai (his fiancée Jo), Phoenix and Adrian Pribble
After graduating from school with honors, Bill was employed by the Virginia Railroad, prior to call to service by the United States Air Force in February of 1953. After training graduation, Bill was assigned to the prestigious Strategic Air Command (SAC), under the command of Air Force icon General Curtis Lemay. Bill served his country for a total of 8 years; 4 in active duty and 4 in the reserves.
After his tour of duty, Bill enjoyed a very successful 27- year career in the two-way-radio communications field in the middle and senior management. First, he worked with General Electric Company in Lynchburg for 11 years, next 7 years, he worked with RF Communications/Harris Corp in Rochester, NY. He, then moved to Seattle WA with KS Communication Corp for 5 years and finally to Waseca, MN with E. F. Johnson/Western Union for 4 years.
In 1974, Bill cofounded and served as the President-General manager of U.S. Communications Corp. In Seattle, WA, with friend, partner and cofounder, Robert “Bob” Fuller built a very successful electronic company with the design of the initial selective signaling logic for today’s cellular telephone. +
He returned to Lynchburg in 1983, to form Century 21 Evelyn Lowe & Associates, with partner Evelyn Lowe. In 1992, Bill was inducted into the ”Century 21 Master’s Hall of Fame”.
Bill was also a partner in several large real estate developments in Lynchburg, including the Lighthouse Condominiums, Willow Brook and 37 West.
Bill enjoyed traveling and was fortunate enough to have travelled to 46 states, including Alaska and Hawaii. He also visited many foreign countries. His travel was for both business and pleasure. Of all his many travel experiences, the one he enjoyed the most occurred in March of 1987. He joined a group that experienced the world’s first only 18 day “Trip Around the World” on the world-famous British Airway “Supersonic Concorde”.
A funeral service to celebrate Bill’s life will be conducted at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 12, 2023 at Whitten Timberlake Chapel with Celebrant Carol Tyree officiating. Entombment at Fort Hill Memorial Park will be private.
The family will receive friends, prior to the service, beginning at 12:30 p.m.
