Final Salute

LONG, Lester “Bill” Sr., 93, of North Chesterfield, Va., went home to be with the Lord on July 31, 2020. Lester was born to the late Aurelious F. and Madeline Paskins Long in Richmond, Va., on June 14, 1927. Lester proudly served his country from 1943 to 1956. He served in the Virginia Protective Force (May 1943 to September 1944). He also served with the Seabees in the Navy in the Pacific Theater during WWII (May 1945 to September 1946) and then finished his military career in the Reserve (1946 to 1956). After the military, Lester worked a variety of jobs before going to work at Reynolds Aluminum in Richmond. He was employed by Reynolds until he retired in 1993 after 36 years. After his retirement, he worked at G & L Mechanical, a family business. Lester was blessed with a large and loving family. He married his best friend, Charlsie Mae Little, on September 29, 1948. Together they raised four children and were blessed with 17 grandchildren, 33 great-grandchildren and one great,-great-grandchild. Lester is survived by his wife, Charlsie; his children, Jackie (Keith) Jassy, Karen (Larry) Gill, Les (Beverly) Long and Danny (Melonie) Long; and his sister, Joan (Gary) Hicks. Lester will be buried in the Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, Va. Due to COVID-19, there will be a private service for his family. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Child Evangelism Fellowship of Greater Richmond, P.O. Box 5063, Glen Allen, Va. 23058.