Willie Long, Jr.

Willie Long, Jr. was born on September 8, 1952, to the union of Willie, Sr. and Clara Long in Gainesville (Sumter County), Alabama. He was the second oldest child of five siblings.

At an early age, he accepted Christ as his personal Savior and was baptized. He joined First Baptist Church, Ninth Street, in Bessemer, Alabama, under the pastorate of Reverend F.D. King.

Willie received formal education in the Bessemer Public Schools (Carver High School). After graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served as a courier.

Willie Long, Jr. departed this life at Brookwood Medical Center on Sunday, January 7, 2024, in Birmingham, Alabama. Willie was preceded in death by his mother, Clara Long; daughter, Samika Long; father, Willie Long, Sr. and sister, Maggie Long Martin.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his loving and devoted wife, Brenda Long; three children, Eric Gillespie, Yvette Long Tillman (Rep. Ontario J.), and Tamika Long; three grandchildren, Raheem Long (Deanna), Marissa Gillespie, and Ariya Windsor; siblings, Dorothy Studmire (Maurta), Ronnie Long (Lorraine), and Robert Long (Claudette); two great grandchildren, Asher Long and Lotus Long; special inlaws, and a host of nephews, nieces, and many other relatives and friends.