William "Billy" Bryan Long

Ava, Missouri

William Bryan Long, 62 years, 9 months, 3 days old, passed peacefully on  November 4, 2024, at his home with his family by his side.

Billy was born February 1, 1962, in Kansas City, MO to William James and Bettie Lou (Matlock) Long.  He was raised by his mom and Jim Caudle. He always called Jim his Dad.

He graduated from Gardner, KS High School and then he got his Associates Degree in Avionics. He achieved his Pilot's license. Billy also was a United States Air Force Veteran and served from 1981 to 1989.

Billy worked as an outside Lineman with CenturyLink for several years.

On November 28, 1992, Billy and Revay Delain Herrell were united in marriage in Edgerton, KS. They moved to the Ava area in 1998. They were blessed with a daughter, Andrea. Together they have enjoyed sharing seven children.

He was a member of the Troy Herd American Legion Post 112 and served as their Adjutant. In the Ava community, he served on the Ava Rural Fire Department., Fire Rescue Training, Ava Emergency Management, and also served on Ava City Council. Billy enjoyed participating as an amateur radio operator. He believed in being a public servant. In his free time, he enjoyed boating, camping, fishing, hunting, and repairing electronics. Billy was a Christian and attended the Ava General Baptist Church.

Billy was preceded in death by his parents and his father, Jim Caudle; his daughter, Crystal Feit; and a brother, Gene Caudle.

He is survived by his wife, Revay; children; Shaun Fuller, Angela Fuller, Kristy Graf, Allen Brookshire, Tommy Fuller, Tina George, Billy Long Jr., and Andrea Coffelt; a special daughter Alyssa Nelson; several grandchildren; one great grandchild; siblings, Tonya Brockway, and Tammy Schoonover; other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services for Billy will be Friday, November 8, 2024 at 10:00 A.M. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, MO with burial following in the Thornfield Cemetery, Thornfield, MO with full military honors by the Troy Herd American Legion Post 112 and U.S. Air Force. Visitation will be Thursday, November 7th from 6:00 to 7:00 P.M. in the funeral home. Officiating will be Joe Corum. Family requests memorials to the Ronald McDonald House.