Mr. William “Bill†Longmire, Jr., 89, Johnson City, passed away on Wednesday, April 25, 2012, in the James H. Quillen VAMC Community Center in Mountain Home following an extended illness.
He was born in Pioneer, Tennessee, on March 25, 1923, and moved to Elizabethton, in 1928, where he was raised. He was the son of the late Dr. William H. and Emma Bradshaw Longmire Sr. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-son, Robert L. “Bob†Goddard Jr.
Mr. Longmire graduated from Elizabethton High School. He attended the University of Tennessee, Berea College and Gonzaga University. He was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during WWII as a paratrooper and was the recipient of a Purple Heart.
He worked as a civil engineer for more than thirty years and spent more than half those years working out of the United States on foreign assignments. He was involved in the planning, design and construction management in a broad range of civil works projects, including operations and maintenance activities at airports and similar locations in the Middle and Far East.
He was a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the National Society of Professional Engineers. His hobbies included skiing, fishing, golfing and collecting antique watches.
Mr. Longmire was of the Catholic faith and attended First United Methodist Church in Elizabethton, where he was a member of the Believers Sunday School class taught by David Deal.
He is survived by his wife, his special friend since childhood, Patricia Taylor Goddard Longmire; a son, William “Trey†Harley Longmire III, Reno, NV; a daughter, Audrey Dail McCann, Pescadero, CA; a sister, Elizabeth M. Jeffries, Hinsdale, IL; two grandchildren, Alexander and Alanna Watson, Pescadero, CA; two step-daughters, Terri Parker and her husband, Richard, Atlanta, GA, Jennifer Birchfield and her husband, Randall, Elizabethton; two step-sons, Charles Goddard and his wife, Jan, Tallahassee, FL; Pat Goddard and his wife, Kathy, Erwin, TN; nine step-grandchildren; and seven step-great-grandchildren. Two special sisters-in-law, Virginia Laws, of Elizabethton, and Mary Etta Camm, Brentwood, TN, also survive.
The funeral service for Mr. Longmire will be conducted on Sunday, April 29, 2012, at 2:00 PM in the Tetrick Funeral Home, Chapel of Peace, Elizabethton, with Rev. Ray Amos and Dr. John Ousley officiating. Music will be under the direction of Tom Tull, pianist.
The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 1:00 to 2:00 PM Sunday prior to the service. Mrs. Longmire will also receive friends at her home, 29 Cherokee Ridge Court, Johnson City, at other times.
Interment will follow the funeral service at Happy Valley Memorial Park. Active pallbearers will be Pat Goddard, Charles Goddard, Hunter Goddard, Randall Birchfield, Richard Parker, Carlos Gutierreez, Chris Gillenwater and Jason Blevins. Honorary pallbearers will be Carroll Murphy, Dude LaPorte, Jessee Birchfield Jr. Lynwood Barfield, Bill Broome, Tommy Horton, Richard Grindstaff, Dr. John Crockett III and Lanny Epperson. Military honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard.
Those who prefer memorials in lieu of flowers may make donations to First United Methodist Church, 325 E East Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643; or St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 510 West C Street, Elizabethton, TN 37643.
Mrs. Longmire would like to express her appreciation to the following: Ann Davis, for helping in the home with Mr. Longmire’s care; Sonny Bill Mottern, for his assistance with Mr. Longmire’s veteran’s affairs; Dr. Angela May and the staff of the Veterans Community Center for the compassion and love shown to Mr. Longmire during his stay there; Judy Deloach and the staff of Ivy Hall; the staff of Pine Ridge Care Center; and Janet Ensor of Carter County Bank.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.tetrickfuneralhome.com and signing the guest book or by fax 423 542-9499.
Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton is serving the family. Office 423 542-2232, Obituary line 543-4917.
