Obituary of Willamae Hughes-Long

Willamae "Billie" Madelyn Hughes Long was born on November 26, 1928 in Alpena, Michigan to the late William Hebdidge and the late Madelyn (DeRosia) Hebdidge. Billie attended several schools in the Detroit area before graduating from Redford High School. She met Roy Long and together the couple raised their five children. She would share more than fifty years with her significant other before his passing in July of 2009. Billie was outgoing and loved to go out of her way to serve others. She worked as a property manager for rental housing and owned a party store near Stony Pointe, where she helped co-found the Frenchtown Township Resort Authority and then served on the board of directors for many years. She enjoyed playing pinochle for hours with friends, loved nature and enjoyed hunting. She was known as "Grandma Billie" to the entire beach community. On warm summer days she was often seen boating and water skiing. Sharing her time with family was important to Billie, particularly playing Legos with her grandchildren. Billie loved puzzles and there was always one in progress on the counter. Willamae "Billie" M. Hughes Long age 84 of Newport passed away peacefully under hospice care and surrounded by her family at Ebeid Hospice Residence at 11:08am on Wednesday, December 5, 2012. To cherish her memory she leaves two children: Roger (Ronda) Hughes of Newport and Thomas (Michelle) Hughes of Azalia; three stepchildren: Dave (Yvonne) Long of Adrian, Gloria (Jim) Jones of Newport, and Sheila (Al) Bussell of Monroe; a sister: Dorothy (Ted "Dewey") Ulman of Florida; thirteen grandchildren: Kasi Hughes, Kraig Hughes, and Kyle Hughes, Thomas Hughes Jr., Chris Cupp, Shawn Cupp, and Tiffany Cupp, Rick Long, D.J. Long, and Kerry Long, Jim Smith, Rob Revels, and Kristina Revels; and twelve great grandchildren. Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm, on Friday, December 7, 2012 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe Street (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will take place at 11:00am on Saturday, December 8, 2012 also at Merkle's. Cremation will take place at Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle and inurnment will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Ebeid Hospice Residence or the Humane Society of Monroe. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.