Windle Long Obituary (1940 - 2026)

Windle Arthur Long passed away August 22, 2026. He was born November 28, 1940 to Roscoe and Bessie Mae Hamilton Long at Rose Creek. Windle, also known as W.A. or Windy to his railroad buddies, has been described as someone who never met a stranger and was a friend to many. Windle was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Charlie Tilton (C.T), Cecil (Virgie), James (Georgia), two sisters Ruby (James) Hubbard, and Dorthy (George) Hance. One son-in-law Bobby Davidson, and grandchildren, Garrett Hoelzeman and Kellan Mashburn. He was also preceded in death by one of his best friends Lavern Chaney Long, mother of his children. Windle was also preceded in death by his wife Lou Ann Dias. He is survived by his sister-in-law Joyce Gatlin and his daughters Patty Davidson and Susan (Kelly) McGehee. Grandchildren: Jessica (CJ) Mashburn, Andrea (Ephraim) Eubanks, Shelby (Loren) Funk, Emily (Gage) Desalvo, and Alex (Bentley) Hoelzeman. Great Grands: Lola, Linleigh, Lydia, Wyatt, Delilah, Piper, Chaney, Giulietta, Tilly, Vivianne, JT, Braydon and Brandon. The Dias family: Randall (Kathy), Valerie (Richard) Growns, and Lincoln (Erin). Grandchildren: Kendra, Raegan, Landon, Lilyanna, Kiley, Madison, Owen, and Paxton. Great Grands: Camille, Bryson, Ryleigh, Hayden, Xavi, and Elianna as well as the French Family. He also had a large number of nieces and nephews he loved dearly. Windle had an incredible work ethic up to the point in his eighties when he could no longer work. Even then, he could still tell others how to get work done and done correctly. He even mowed until his last year of life. He made it through open heart surgery, cancer which he beat in 2025, and then finally just got too tired. He, as most people did in that generation, grew up working on the farm. He told stories of picking cotton and working the farm with his siblings and parents. He learned carpentry from his father-in-law Ed Chaney. He and Grandpa would build houses, chicken houses, and any other buildings that needed done and they could build just about anything. He also worked on the Dardanelle Dam and helped build the original fencing along the Palisades Overlook on Petit Jean mountain. In the mid to late 60’s he joined the railroad. He was very proud of his time working for Rock Island and then for Little Rock Western. He so loved the friends he made during those years. After retirement, he worked for Bill Growns and enjoyed the work and their friendship. Windle did not know a stranger. It was his goal to meet and befriend as many people as he could. If he was somewhere and there was someone he didn’t know, he felt it was his job to go visit, get to know them, and leave as friends. He loved his family and you always knew you were important to him. We always accused Aunt Ruby of spoiling him as she was the oldest and he the youngest. All of those siblings together shared some of the best stories to us, their children and grandchildren. Daddy loved to tell stories and thinking back we can’t remember so many of those stories without remembering Billy Carol Hubbard and Stanley Wagner. Evidently, they were quite the little group. One of the last visits Susan had with Mrs. Nettie Rainey, Billy Carol’s sister, Mrs. Nettie was talking about what a little pester pot Windle was when they were all younger running around on the creek. He never outgrew jokes, fun, and laughter. In his last years, he would always get into discussions and could be heard saying “let me teach you something” and he would. By the time he was done you could pick cotton, grow sweet potatoes, and learn anything and as much as you wanted about trains, American history, and gardening. Even in his last days, he would talk about when he got well and wanted to go fishing and hunting and plant some potatoes. Windle also had a great love for bluegrass music. Windle’s celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 26, at Welcome Home Missionary Baptist Church at Rose Creek with visitation at 10:00 a.m. and the memorial service at 11:00 a.m. Officiant will be Jackie Townsel and a private burial will be held at Hamilton Cemetery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Alan Mansfield for your help and friendship during his last months. He was worry free. Also thank you to the following: Gentiva Hospice, Care IV, CARTI Conway, Dr. L. Parker Norris, Baptist Conway Physical Therapy Care Team, and Baptist Conway ER, Critical Care, and staff. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hamilton Cemetery, c/o Susan McGehee, 664 Hwy 324N., Casa, AR 72025, St. Judes Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 7023, Merrifield, VA 22116-7023.