On Monday, January 20, 2025, Bill Long passed away suddenly in his home fly tying workshop. He was born on February 24, 1939 in Helena. After graduating from Helena High in 1956, Bill joined the Montana National Guard and then enlisted in the United States Navy, proudly serving on the USS Joseph P. Kennedy until 1962.
Bill returned to Helena and worked construction with his father, ultimately joining the Operating Engineers Local 12 Union as a heavy equipment operator specializing in crane operating. His career took him throughout the country working primarily in Montana, Nevada, and California.
After retiring, he returned to his home base in Helena with his loving wife Kathleen. He used to say when he first laid eyes on her she took his breath away.
Bill Long was a man of strong character and few words. His love was boundless and clearly demonstrated when caring for his ailing son Father Stu, and later, Kathleen. He was an extraordinary caregiver continuing his service to other close friends and family.
Later in life Bill was confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church and built strong connections with many individuals in the local catholic community.
He was an avid fly fisherman, and when not out on the water, he was tying his own flies and visiting fly shops in search of that special feather. Throughout his life, Bill was a voracious reader with a thirst for knowledge spanning all genres.
Bill was a die hard Dodger baseball fan from the time they played in Brooklyn, and could be found most days donning his signature cap and jacket. He attended multiple World Series games, cheering them on at Dodger Stadium, resulting in their 2024 title win.
He loved the outdoors and continued skiing into his 80s.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William and Cecilia, his wife Kathleen, and his sons, Stephen Louis and Father Stuart Long.
He is survived by his sisters, Julie, and Ellie (Jack); brother Dan (Samareh); Son Scott (Kathy); Daughters Jennifer,and Amy (Tom). His granddaughter Jessica, grandson Trevor, and great grandson, Matthew.
The family will receive friends during viewing hours at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home, 3750 N. Montana Avenue on Monday, February 3, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Come join the family in praying the Rosary at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, February 5, 2025, with a funeral Mass to be celebrated at 12:00 p.m. at the Cathedral of St. Helena, Rite of Committal with military honors will be accorded at the Montana State Veteran Cemetery at Fort Harrison, MT. Immediately following will be a reception in the Brondel Center located in the lower level of the Cathedral.
Please make memorials in Bill’s name to Beyond 227, P.O. Box 274, Helena, MT 59604, or online at Beyond227.org, or to the Lewis and Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT. 59604 or online at lchsmontana.org. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer condolences or share a memory of Bill.
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday February 3, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Rosary
11:30 a.m.
Wednesday February 5, 2025
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 5, 2025
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana
Rite of Committal
1:30 p.m.
Wednesday February 5, 2025
Committal Shelter at Montana State Veteran Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the Committal Rites
Wednesday February 5, 2025
Brondel Center in lower level of the Cathedral
Helena, Montana
Service Schedule
Family Receiving Friends
5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Monday February 3, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Rosary
11:30 a.m.
Wednesday February 5, 2025
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday February 5, 2025
Cathedral of St. Helena
530 N. Ewing Street
Helena, Montana
Rite of Committal
1:30 p.m.
Wednesday February 5, 2025
Committal Shelter at Montana State Veteran Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the Committal Rites
Wednesday February 5, 2025
Brondel Center in lower level of the Cathedral
Helena, Montana
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Jeff & Linda Kindrick says
“Well done, good and faithful servant!” Matthew 25:21.
Bill – your life has been one of selfless service to those around you – most especially for your sweet wife Kathleen and your son, Father Stu. We can only imagine the rejoicing in Heaven where you were greeted with open arms by all your family.
God bless you Bill. Rest.
Sherri L Anderson says
What a good and wonderful man. He was so dedicated to his wonderful son Father Stu. I can still see him driving Father Stu in his van taking him to different places to eat. He was there until the end with Father Stu. He dearly loved his wife Kathleen and all of his family. It is a joyous reunion in heaven with Stu, Kathleen and his other two children. You will be missed. Peace be with you my dear friend
Lawrence Urban says
Bill was one of my dearest and closest friends here in Helena. He became a great confidant and mentor to me, and reminded me of my grandfather. We had some great times over the years having breakfasts after the 7:30 mass at the cathedral, tying flies at Crosscurrents and in the tying room in his home, fishing the various lakes, streams and rivers around southwest MT and our annual fly shop road trips during the winter to pick up tying supplies and help the economy! We had some great baseball discussions over the years concerning his beloved LA Dodgers and as he put it that darn New York Yankee team I rooted for. I am so glad that he got to see his Dodgers beat the Yankees in the 2024 World Series this year!
To Amy, Scott, Tom and the entire Long Family, I want to express my deepest sympathies and condolences on the passing of your Dad. Wishing you all comfort that his journey to heaven is guided by the angels and May the Good Lord grant him eternal rest and the perpetual light shine upon his soul! I am going to miss my dear friend.
Dennis Hanson says
I met Bill shortly after his wife passed. He came into the flyshop on a Saturday wanting to start tying flies again. He would sit across from me and would talk about Father Stu, and for 3 years he never said that Father Stu was his son. We became good friends and he was my “go to” guy to invite fishing in my boat. I learned to keep my mouth shut, and listen to his stories about his time in the Navy, and his love for the Dodgers. He had several of my wife’s dinners, and always brought the wine , which caused my wife to always invite him back. I always tried to tie flies with him in the winter because I not only enjoyed his company but also knew it made him happy to have the tying guys in his home. It will be hard to go fishing without him sitting in the back of the boat where he loved to sit and watch the action, or in my case , no action. It was just last week we were tying flies and planning some trips together this spring. Well, if you know Bill, then you know he is now in a far better place holding his wife’s hand again. This good man will be missed.
John & Cherie Dahl says
Bill and Kathleen were friends in the 60’s and 70’s. Thoughts and prayers go out to the family 🙏
Jimmy Wahlberg says
Bill, it was my great Honor to know you even if for only a short time. God bless you and may you rest in peace at the feet of Jesus.
Bill Tolleson says
I met Bill at a North Dallas Mexican restaurant with Amy and my wife, Lynda. Although the luncheon was our idea, Bill absolutely insisted on treating us, which was most unexpected. I often tried to return the favor, but he would never allow it. Perhaps this illustrates the generous nature of this kind and giving man.
I regret not having more opportunity to get to know Bill better, but will cherish the memory of this quiet spoken and gentle man with a heart of gold.