William “Bill” Edmond Longo passed from this life on earth to an eternity in heaven on Wednesday, August 21, 2024. He was 75 years of age. Bill was born on June 4, 1949, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to his parents, William Paul Longo and Mary Lou (Nalty) Longo.
As a boy, he was known as “Billy” – a young man who enjoyed athletics and outdoors, his friends and his family. The growing years of his boyhood were lived in Vienna, Virginia – a place he always referred to as near and dear to his heart. He loved the rolling hills, the green pastures, the beauty of the fall colors, along with a keen interest in the natural wonders of the animal kingdom. He was an avid outdoorsman who thoroughly loved hunting and fishing with friends and family.
Bill was a dog lover. Throughout his life, he always enjoyed the companionship of a best friend that came from having a dog by his side. No matter the breed of the dog or the power of its bark, Bill loved his dogs!
Another passion of his life revolved around his study of history. His library was filled with a variety of volumes covering a multiplicity of historical eras. As a lifelong learner, he was dedicated to being a veracious reader.
The journey of life would move him to California where he would meet his wife-to-be, Gerri Michelle Hatcher. They would fall in love, and soon they would celebrate their love for each other on their wedding day, August 23, 1969. The faithfulness of their marriage has been on display for fifty-five years in fulfillment of the loving commitment of their lives to each other as husband and wife, forever.
In April of 1975, while in Tucson, Arizona, there would be a day that would forever change the direction of his life. At the age of 25, Bill would accept Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. It was in that moment that his life would be forever changed! He went on to follow the direction of God for his life as he began to share the good news of the love and redemption that is found in a personal relationship with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. One of his favorite scriptures he often would quote stated, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The decades to follow would be filled with his faithful service to the Lord and ministering to others even through his many difficult experiences of great suffering. He pastored several churches throughout his journey, he spent time preaching the Gospel in evangelistic work, and encouraged people everywhere he went. Bill lived a full life for the glory of God.
He was a member of the White Drive Baptist Church in Batesville, Arkansas, where he faithfully attended and served as his health would allow.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Mary Longo. Survivors include his wife, Gerri Longo, his three children, Adam Longo, Audrey Coffman (husband Heath), and Rebekah Miller (husband Steven); 11 grandchildren, Kaitlin, Ryan, Trevor, Jacob, William, Josiah, Olivia, Hatcher, Jay, Marcus and Myles; 4 great grandchildren, Jaydon, Jazmyn, River, and Juliette; his sisters, Linda Stetson, Beverly Garrick, and brother, David Longo; and numerous nieces, nephews, and many other relatives and friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, August 26, 2024 at 11AM at the White Drive Baptist Church in Batesville, Arkansas, hosted by Pastor Taylor Gillaspie.
Doty Southside Funeral Home of Southside, Arkansas is handling all arrangements.
Bill gave his life to serving Jesus and preaching the Bible. His heart was to see people accept Jesus as their personal Savior. It would give him and his wife no greater joy than to see the good news of the Gospel continue to move forward through the ministry of their local church.
