Joe Wylie Long

Joe Wylie Long, age 91, of Aquilla, passed away early Wednesday afternoon, January 16, 2013 at Golden Acres Nursing Home in Dallas. Funeral services will be held 9:00 a.m. Tuesday at the First Baptist Church in Gholson, with Rev. James Stevens officiating. Graveside services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday at Hillcrest Garden of Memories near Hillsboro. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Monday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Mr. Long was born December 31, 1921 in Holden, MO the son of Wylie E. and Maybelle (Gillilan) Long. He attended Wilmeth Elementary school. Joe served his country with the United States Navy as a SeaBee during World War II. On February 27, 1946 he was united in marriage to Gladys Marie Keenum in Waco, who he met while working at Youngblood's Chicken Restaurant. Gladys preceded him in death on February 16, 2011. Joe worked at the Owens-Illinois Glass Plant in Waco for over 32 years before retiring in 1980. He also worked for Barsh Construction Company in Waco for 10 years. Joe was a faithful member of the First Baptist Church in Gholson. He enjoyed farming, working on antique tractors, shelling pecans and playing 42 and solitaire. He especially loved training horses. Joe is preceded in death by his parents; a son, Dennis Long; brother, Bill Long; and sisters, Winnie Ragsdale and Frances Varner. Survivors include; two daughters, Cathey Long Cook of Garland and Lanelle Long of Aquilla; a daughter-in-law, Vicky Long of Aquilla; a brother, Pete Long and wife Mary; a sister, Betty Sue Spencer; 5 grandchildren, Miki Land, Erin Long and special friend, Chris Slovak, Jon-Michael Cook and wife Stefani, Briana Ellis and husband Sammy, and Cody Long and fiance Amber Smith; 7 great grandchildren, Haley, Trevor, Brayden, Troy, Cara, Tatum and Camden; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Active pallbearers are Mike Long, Rick Rancher, Randy Ragsdale, Bill Nixon, Ted Long, Steve Keenum, Rodney Smith and Frank Alexander. Honorary pallbearers are his nieces, nephews and Alvin Faglie. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church in Gholson.