Kenneth Lee Long, 91, passed away Friday, January 15, 2021, at his residence in Houston, Texas. He was born May 11, 1929 on Crowders Mountain in North Carolina to Richard and Alma Whiteside Long. Ken lived in North Carolina until he joined the United States Army and began an adventure that took him to many continents. While stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, he came to Booneville on leave with an Army buddy, where he saw Willie Mae crossing the street in front of his car and told his friend he had to meet her. He did, they fell in love, and he married the love of his life some months later.
To protect all loved ones, a live stream funeral service will be hosted by McMillan Funeral Home on Saturday, January 30, 2021, with Bro. Carter Smith officiating. Burial will be in the Booneville Cemetery.
Ken had a distinguished 30 year military career in the United States Army, where he was awarded the Legion of Merrit, the Bronze Star, the Korean Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, numerous Battle Star Medals, and many additional recognitions for exemplary service and valor. He attained the highest rank possible for a non-commissioned officer, that of Command Sergeant Major. He had planned to retire in Booneville with his wife Willie Mae, who unfortunately passed away from cancer before that dream could ever be realized. Ken then retired to his hometown of Pageland, South Carolina, where his mother was still living. He later met and married Mary Joines. They were married and lived in the Carolinas until her death in 2018.
Ken is survived by two daughters, Nancy Riley and Wanda Bonilla; one son-in-law, Tony Bonilla; one brother, Tom Long; and two sisters, Elizabeth (Lib) Naffziger, and Mary Nell Stafford; one brother-in-law, Phil Naffziger; two sisters-in-law, Brenda Long and Mildred Sherrill Wilson; three grandsons, Joey Berger, Brandon Bonilla, and Blake Bonilla; seven great-grandchildren, Rett Berger, Mila Berger, Nora Bonilla, Brayden Bonilla, Eleanor Bonilla, Jay Bonilla, Baby Bonilla due in March; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Willie Mae Sherrill Long and his second wife, Mary Joines Long; his parents, Richard and Alma Long; his mother-in-law Maudie Hare; three brothers, Delton Long, Claude (Buck) Long, Raymond (Ott) Long; three brothers-in-law, Lee R Sherrill, Larry Wilson, and Ray Stafford; and four sisters-in-law, Louise Sherrill, Becky Long, Grace Long, and Shirley Long.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you spend a little extra time with your loved ones and share a good story about Ken.
Services
No public services are scheduled at this time. Receive a notification when services are updated.
