H. Dewayne Bilbrey

Harold Dale Long passed away Monday, April 13, 2015, in Monroe, North Carolina. He was born in Charleston, West Virginia, on March 16, 1931, the son of the late Ethel and Harry Long. He was graduated from Stonewall Jackson High, Charleston, West Virginia, in 1949.

On August 25, 1951, Harold and Lois Jean Dahms were married by the Rev. Albert Crim at the Hamilton First Church of God. They have one daughter, Michele Leigh, born July 30, 1967.

Harold worked at Champion Paper in Hamilton for 16 years, and later at Fisher Body until the plant closed. He was the official greeter at Market Express in Wesley Chapel, North Carolina, where he kept everything spotless.

The Longs were long-time members at First Church of God where he sang in the choir and men's quartet. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother Aaron Long; sister Virginia Faye Long; in-laws Randall & Clara Dahms; and brother-in-law Adrian Waugh. He is survived by his wife Jean; daughter Michele (Rick) Hurni; his two grandsons (his pride and joy) Banner and Brady; sister-in-law Betty Waugh; nieces and nephews David (Linda) Waugh, Debbie (Mike) Martin, Dale (Risa) Waugh and Jenny (Dennis) Everhart, and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

Harold loved Ohio State sports and bicycling. Years ago, he rode his Schwinn from Fairfield, Ohio, to Bradenton, Florida. He enjoyed watching his two grandsons play sports.

He was never idle a day in his life, making great use of each day the Good Lord gave him. He was smart with money, yet incredibly generous when others were in need. He never helped others for personal credit, but because it was the right thing to do. He bought Bibles for people around the world, and paid for countless scholarships.

He made a floor shine like it was nobody's business, and did every job as if Jesus was going to personally inspect it. Harold worked for God, and people became the beneficiaries. After church, if we needed two pizzas "The H-Man" would bring five; better to have too much than not enough.

Harold took life seriously, but also had a profound sense of humor. Loyal to his friends, he took pride in everything he owned or did. He truly appreciated the finer side of great choirs and music, not what you might expect from a "kid from West Virginia."

www.websterfuneralhomes.com