William “Bill” Long Sr., 86, of Sidney, IA died March 2, 2023, at Bryan West Hospital in Lincoln. Bill was born December 15, 1936, to Jessie and William Hume Long and grew up south of Knox while attending grade school in the country. Bill was a 1954 graduate of Sidney High School. He worked for Farmers Coop in Nebraska City and signed up with the National Guard in 1955. While living in Nebraska City he courted and married Francis “Jane” Lutz on September 6, 1958. In the year 1958, Bill enlisted in the US Army and served as a member of STRAC Forces at Fort Bliss, TX, until 1962. Bill and Jane welcomed their daughter Janet while living in El Paso, TX.
Upon returning home from the Army, they opened Long’s Feed and Produce on the town square in Sidney. Their first son Butch was born while living in Sidney. In 1964 they began farming on a farm near Hamburg. Mid 1966 they moved back to Sidney and shortly after had their second son John. Bill worked at Missouri Beef Packers until 1973, when he began farming full time. The family enjoyed summer trips to Lake Okoboji and Minnesota. Bill continued to farm and work several town jobs including foreman at Mount Arbor Nursery in Shenandoah. Following Jane’s death, he moved to his family farm where he continued to live on the farm growing crops, raising cattle and doing chores until January 2021. Bill was a long-time member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamburg and proud member of the Sidney Legion and served as chaplain, vice commander and post commander as well as secretary and chairman of the rodeo board.
He also served on the Honor Guard for 32 years. Bill was preceded in death by his mother and father, wife Jane and granddaughter, Lauren Klosterman. He is survived by his daughter, Janet (Loras) Klosterman of Omaha, NE, sons, Bill “Butch” (Olivia) Long of Cedar Falls, IA and John (Cheryl) Long of Sidney, IA; eight grandchildren, Jennifer, Abby, Austin, Addison, Nolan, Clayton, Elise and Nolan; five great grandchildren, Nora, Celia, Charlie, Andie and Teddy; many other relatives and friends. Funeral services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 4, 2023 at Marshall Funeral Chapel in Sidney, IA with burial in the Sidney Cemetery. Full military honors will be conducted by the Sidney American Legion.
The family will greet friends after 5:00 P.M. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to The Sidney American Legion or St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hamburg, IA. Online condolences may be expressed at www.marshallfuneral.com. Marshall Funeral Chapel of Sidney, Iowa is in charge of arrangements.
