William DeLong
January 16, 1923 - December 12, 2016
Obituary
VERONA-William D. "Bill" DeLong, age 93, of Verona, passed away on Monday, Dec. 12, 2016, at his home. He was born on Jan. 16, 1923, in Topeka, Kansas, the son of William and Reva (Gauntz) DeLong. He married Betty Voss on Jan. 22, 1944, in Baltimore, Md. Bill graduated from Topeka High School in 1941. After graduation, he worked as an auto mechanic at a local gas station until enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1942. His service was easy as he used to say, being Ship's Cook First Class for Admiral Ingersoll, Commander in Chief, Admiral Fleet, aboard the USS Vixen during World War II. After his honorable discharge in 1945, he went back to Topeka, Kansas with his wife and their first daughter, Pamela and started what would be his life-long career in management for commercial bakeries. In 1965, his second daughter, Samantha was born. In 1969, the family moved to Dubuque, Iowa, to finish out his career at Trausch Baking Company, finally retiring in 1987. Bill and Betty moved to Madison in 1989. After his wife's passing in 1990, to keep himself busy, he returned to work and enjoyed many activities including, dancing, listening to jazz and big band music, golfing, the Badgers and Packers, computers, technology and spending time with his many close friends, especially Ruth Edington. Bill was grateful that Ruth and her family welcomed him as one of their own. Although legally blind, he continued his love of technology by attending months of training at the VA Hines Blind Rehabilitation Center, at the age of 87, so he could continue being independent. In 2011, he went on the Badger Honor Flight, a life changing event for him. The last years of his life he spent in Verona with his daughter, Samantha, her husband, John and their dog, Chamonix. Bill loved spending time with those he met at the Verona Senior Center and Veteran's Group. He was always up for an adventure, whether that was a field trip with the Senior Center, a sporting event, or simply a dinner of ribs, bourbon or beer. As shared with family members, those who met Bill, loved his sense of humor, sharp mind, and zest for life and will be forever impacted by him. Bill is survived by his daughter, Samantha (John) Pegelow; sister, Phyllis (Jim) Brock of Overland Park, Kan.; niece, Carolyn Brock; and nephew, Randy Brock. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Betty; and daughter, Pamela Chadwick Jones formerly of Houston, Texas. A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 5203 Monona Dr., Madison, from 10 a.m. until 12 Noon, with military honors at 11:30 a.m., on Monday, Dec. 19, 2016. Burial will follow at ROSELAWN MEMORIAL PARK. In lieu of flowers, please direct donations to Badger Honor Flight: www.badgerhonorflight.org. The family would like to give special thanks to Agrace HospiceCare and our friends who donated support and love throughout Bill's final days. Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.
Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608)221-5420
Events
Visitation
Mon Dec 19, 2016 @ 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM CDT
Gunderson Funeral and Cremation Care - Madison • 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, WI 53716
Photos
No photos of William have been shared yet.
Memories
DM
Doug Meier
Other •
It has been a great pleasure to have known Bill and have considered him a great friend. He's one of the few people I will forever cherish.
I first experienced Bill some 25 years ago when I was visiting a sister business line where he was working part time in retirement. I say "experienced" as I had not formally met him yet, but I sure felt his presence. I was talking to the manager about his customers and products, but I couldn't help but notice the man running one of the data machines. He was focused on his work, but it was clear that he was absorbing everything that was going on in the business. Bill just had that presence.
A few months later, we hired Bill's daughter Samantha in my business line. It took some time before I found out the relationship. Yes it was very clear neither of them ever let anything slip by unnoticed; maybe unsaid, but never unnoticed. Time moved forward but I still didn't really know Bill.
After I left that company some 10 years later, Bills Daughter Samantha, her husband John, and my wife and I became great friends. We grew to know Bill more and more. Now in his 70's, his wit and sense of humor were one to keep up with. Always quick, always a teasing mind, and always an embracing smile. And we even shared the same love for bourbon, ribs, and any project to be completed! Those attributes stayed until just a couple weeks ago.
We will dearly miss Bill, but he will never leave our side. Be in peace Bill.
BE
Bill Edington
Other •
I will have the pleasure of remembering Bill on a daily basis. Shortly after my wife and I moved into our home in 2002, Bill had noticed that our garage was bare and there was a need for a workbench and wall cabinets. Not long afterward he completed his project to make our life better. Everyday I have the opportunity to see his wonderful efforts and gift of five wall mounted cabinets and a fullsize workbench. As an added kicker, he later made ceiling mounted platforms that hang down on either side of my garage door tracks, further making excellent use of otherwise wasted space. I fully appreciate the design, craftsmenship, appearance and utility of this most gracious gift. To top it off, he was truly a joy at our family gatherings enjoying his loving concern for others. Bill, enjoy eternity with God. Bill Edington
TF
Tom Cantwell, Badger Honor Flight
Other •
The volunteers, flight team and board of Badger Honor Flight mourn the loss of their hero, William DeLong. We are thankful for his military service and proud to have served him on his trip to Washington, D.C. on April 2, 2011.