Wallace Winslow Long

Wallace Winslow Long passed away Tuesday evening, August 12, 2025 with his family by his side at his home in El Lago, Texas. Wallace, known as Wally to both family and friends, was 84 years old. He is survived by his loving spouse of 63 years Janet Long, his sons Kevin Randolph Long (spouse Julie) and Christopher Glenn Long, his grandsons Cooper Joseph Long, and Nathan Ripley Long, his granddaughter Kelsey Merretta Long, and his brother Stanley E. Long (spouse Annie).

Wally was the son of Glenn Long and Merrettee Irene Hessenauer. He was born at home in Brown County Indiana on July 3, 1941. After his mother’s untimely passing, Wally was lovingly raised by Helen and Hubert Rund. He became part of their family and considered their five children as his own brothers and sisters. His entire life, he always cherished them. At school age he went to live with his brother Stanley and his father Glenn in Indianapolis and later Webster City, Iowa.

Wally attended Lincoln High School and graduated in 1959. During his high school years, he also found time to get his pilot license, which served him well throughout his life. He loved to fly, so it was no surprise when he joined the Air Force after high school and served four years.

Halfway through his military service, he met Janet while on leave to visit his cousins in Shelbyville, Indiana. During that stay he went to church in his uniform and that’s when Janet saw him. She knew he was the one. They were married the following year and moved to Tyndall Airbase in Florida.

Wally attended Rose Polytechnic Institute after his time in the Air Force and achieved a bachelor of science in electrical engineering. After graduation in 1967, he went to work for Union Carbide and moved to Lulling, Louisiana. This was only the beginning of a series of relocations that had them moving once a year for five years straight. The last move was to Texas City to be a manager in the Solvents and Coatings Materials Division. It was a good thing that both Janet and Wally loved to travel because that made all those moves more of an adventure than a hardship.

During those years hopping across states, Kevin was born in Louisiana and Christopher was born in Puerto Rico. Wally was a proud father who took an active role in his sons’ lives. Kevin and Chris have fond memories of their dad coaching their sports teams, taking them camping, fishing, and teaching them patience in all things. This was especially important when the lessons on car repair began and overhauling motors on several old vehicles became common projects at home. Wally was an engineer who could fix anything. He taught his boys perseverance and resolve through this work, even though all they wanted was to test the speed limit down Red Bluff Road. He also spent uncountable hours at the kitchen table getting his sons through all their math classes, and willing them through high school. Through so many demonstrations of his love, his sons always felt supported by their father. His example provided a guide for life and molded them into the men they are today. As far as his grandchildren go, he loved them dearly and spoiled them accordingly. From fishing, to card games, trips to the hardware store, to assigning yard work when necessary, he was always supportive of them and looked forward to their time together.

Wally accepted Christ when he was a teenager at a church camp. He became very active in church after going to work for Union Carbide in Lulling, Louisiana. He has taught teenagers, served as a music director at a small church in Puerto Rico, and has faithfully taught Adult Bible study at UBC since joining in 1977. He loved music and sang in the choir for many years. Wally was ordained as deacon in 1979 and received the Deacon Emeritus for his service at UBC. After his retirement from Union Carbide, he helped build churches on the Navajo Indian reservations for many years.

Wally loved serving as chairman of the UBC Foundation which raises money for scholarships for students, needs of the community, and other worthy causes. Throughout the years he has been a mentor and friend to many people.

Wally loved people and strived to live his life as an example of Christ living through him. He lived by what Jesus taught: Love God and Love Others. Wally’s desire was that all people would come to know Christ, and to seek guidance and understanding through studying the Bible.

Services will be held on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 2 PM:

University Baptist Church

16106 Middlebrook Drive

Houston, TX 77059

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either of the following organizations in honor of Wally.

University Baptist Church Foundation

MD Anderson Cancer Research