Long, Wilbur Chester

Wilbur Chester Long, 87, a resident of Fairlawn, Va., for 55 years, passed away on Tuesday, October 19, 2010. He was born in Belspring on March 31, 1923, the son of the late Harvey Chester and Lydia Likens Long. He was a United States Army veteran having served during World War II. He worked for many years as a lab tech at the RAAP and was a retired electroplater from Electro-Tec Corporation in Blacksburg. He was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Marie L. Hall, of Roanoke, and Sarah Eva “Eve” Long, of Fairlawn; and a brother, Emmett A. Long, of Fincastle. Survivors include his loving wife of 60 years, Barbara Nell Slusher Long, of Fairlawn; a son, Gary Wayne Long, of Radford; two daughters and sons-in-law, Rhonda G. and Rodney Houchins, of Fairlawn, and Kimberly A. and John Mansfield, of Fairlawn; a granddaughter, Stephanie A. Lane, of Pulaski; a grandson, Nicholas R. Houchins, of Fairlawn; greatgranddaughters, Saera Lin Alley and Olivia Marie Covington, both of Pulaski; a brother, Arthur L. Long, of Fairlawn; a sister, Alice L. Rickman, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and many devoted and loving nieces and nephews. A memorial service celebrating Wilbur’s life will be held at a later date. In lieu of sending flowers to the family, please consider the American Diabetes Association . The Long family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home in Radford, Va., 540-639-2456. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com