William Long

William (Bill) E. Long, 79, of Toppenish, entered into his Heavenly home on April 5 while at Cottage in the Meadow. Bill was born December 13, 1937 in Kittitas, WA to Lloyd and Nova (Wiley) Long. He was raised on a dairy farm located northeast of Kittitas and graduated from Kittitas High School in 1956. While working on the farm Bill learned the value of hard work. This work ethic carried over into his adulthood when he became an ordained pastor with the Assemblies of God after receiving his Th.B. degree from Northwest College (now University) located in Kirkland, WA. The most important decision Bill made was to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior at a young age while attending Kittitas Assembly of God. That decision is what helped guide his life and its work. The second best decision Bill made was after meeting Phyllis Wornell, his older brother John’s babysitter. Bill was 15 and driving a tractor in the field when Phyllis (14) first saw him. After a five-year courtship they married on June 28, 1958 in Toppenish, WA. Together they had four children. While attending Northwest, Bill served as an associate Pastor at Southgate Assembly of God in Seattle, WA. From there he joined his brother John, who pastored the Assembly of God in Buena, WA, as an associate pastor. After John’s untimely death, in 1965, Bill took over as senior pastor. In fall of 1970 Bill and Phyllis became pastors of the Assembly of God in Brewster, WA. There he served for 22 years, thoroughly enjoying his time spent there. During this time he also drove school bus, where he enjoyed getting to know the students. He considered that an extension of his pastoral ministry. He spent many nights transporting students to musical and sporting events throughout northcentral Washington. He became a big fan of the Bears. After leaving Brewster Bill moved to Toppenish, WA. Never losing his love for farming, Bill took a maintenance position with Yakima Valley Nursery, Inc. under the management of Fred Nyberg until his retirement in 1999. Even though he “retired” Bill never stopped ministering until earlier this year, when he was physically unable to continue. After leaving Brewster Bill worked at churches in Toppenish, Buena, Wapato and, most recently, Union Gap. Together Bill, along with Phyllis, served the Lord in ministry for over 59 years. Bill loved music, especially playing the piano, accordion and organ. On Monday, April 3, after being admitted to Cottage in the Meadow, Bill’s eyes lit up when he noticed a piano in the fireside room. He played hymns for almost an hour, including four of his favorites: Great is Thy Faithfulness, It is Well with My Soul, I’ll Fly Away and Amazing Grace. Bill was preceded in death by his parents (Lloyd and Nova Long), Phyllis’s parents, James and Imogene Wornell; one sister, Hattie; two brothers, Larry Joe Long and John A. Long; three sisters-in-law, Inez Long, Doris Long and Dorothy Wornell; and one brother-in-law, LeRoy Wornell. Bill is survived by his wife of 58 years, Phyllis (Wornell) Long; four children: David (Vickie) Long of Yakima; Steve (Radene) Long of Yakima; Janette (Randy) Lint of Toppenish; and John (Sina) Long of Petersburg, VA; one brother, Bob Long; a sister-in-law, Sherry Wornell; a brother-in-law, John (Leslie) Wornell; 15 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and many friends and loved ones. Bill’s viewing and visitation will take place at Valley Hills Funeral Home in Zillah from 4 pm to 7 pm on Thursday, April 13. His service of memory will take place on April 14 at Christian Worship Center (204 Cheyne Rd, Zillah), starting at 10 am. Donations in Bill’s name may be made to Union Gospel Mission in Yakima. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of William Long, please visit our flower store.