William “Bill” DeLong, 54, born just two days before Christmas 1969 and brought home in a Christmas stocking, passed from this earthly life on June 27, 2024. He lived just 15 months of his life in his own light before being tormented by the birth of his triplet sisters. Trapped between playing with his hot wheels and holding his sisters’ bottles, Bill balanced his responsibility as a big brother with his share of mischief and a dry, often dark, humor, both of which followed him to adulthood.
After graduating from Sand Creek High School in 1988 (much to his mom’s relief), Bill began his working career at Maple City Glass. But he committed the majority of his career in service as a corrections officer at the Gus Harrison Correctional Facility in Adrian from which he retired after over 30 years of dedicated service in 2021. In addition, he served his community as a member of the Fairfield Township Fire Department and as an EMT with Lenawee County Ambulance.
Bill went on to marry his best friend, Shelly (Pigg), in January of 1991 and together they would build a family, a tight-knit circle of friends and a life they would love. There were two groups of people in Bill’s world, those he tolerated and those he loved. (You know who you are.) Being loved by Bill was limited to an exclusive group who were given the rare privilege to see past his tough exterior and it was only this group who experienced the true blessing of his selflessness and loyalty and of course the benefit of his unmoderated opinion, relentless teasing, and stubbornness. Because of his advanced skill in the art of dry humor, his threshold for laughter was high and his smiles didn’t come easy. But if you were good enough you were rewarded with a mischievous, even slightly pained smile that was worth all the effort.
Surviving and left to cherish his memory is his wife, Shelly, of 33 years and his children, Devan, Logan (Leanne) and Haleigh DeLong; grandchildren, Jack, Lynnlee, Henry, and Larsen; his father, Troy (Pat) DeLong; mother-in-law, Dorothy Pigg; and sisters, Renee (Chad) Bangerter and Ronda (Jesse) Winans. Preceding Bill in death is his mom, Carol Delong; sister, Roxanne Willnow; and father-in-law, Bruce Pigg.
Cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 20, 2024, including a visitation with family at 10:00 am and services beginning at 11:00 am at Jasper Bible Church 8230 S. Adrian Hwy, Jasper, with Rev. Bruce Jewett officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Lenawee at 1903 Wolf Creek Hwy, Adrian, MI. Arrangements under the directions of Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.