1925
William
2013
William Longmire
November 11, 1925 — July 3, 2013
William Chapman Longmire peacefully passed away July 3, 2013.
Bill was born November 11, 1925, to Roy and Louise Longmire in Utica, Mississippi. His early days in Utica were spent in the sleepy, lush setting of weeping willows, where he, his brothers Bob and Harmon, and parents lived amongst good neighbors and friends. Bill's life's journey included being a WWII Sergeant at Camp Pickering in the Post Surgeon's office. Following his service, he became a graduate of Millsaps College in Chemistry. Eventually his love of music lead him to the Music Academy of the West on the campus of the University of Santa Barbara. He was afforded the opportunity to study under the direction of renowned singer John Charles Thomas, who took a particular liking to Bill's beautiful baritone voice. The two men were in contact with one another until Thomas's death some years later. Bill went on tour in the United States performing in the play John Brown's Body. The end result was a stint on Broadway with principal actors Tyrone Power, Raymond Massey, and Judith Anderson. It was a memory he would never forget. Though Bill would eventually become a 35-year employee of Lederle Laboratories, music continued to be a part of his life. For a number years, he served as choir director at Saint John's United Methodist Church in Kansas City,. His wife was by his side as soprano soloist as well as a number of her students and church members who made a beautiful sound for many years.
Music brought another love to Bill's life. A young woman by the name of Martha Ann Holmes also studied voice at the Academy. He married Martha on April 29, 1953. She preceded him in death two month's short of their 59th wedding anniversary. Their union would produce four children and five grandchildren. Those left behind to cherish his memory are Bill Longmire, Jr. married to Gretchen; Lou Paulson married to Mike; Bob Longmire married to Susan; and Jim Longmire. Grandchildren are Erik, Anna, Alex, Colin, and Sam. His loved ones will remember him as a gentle, soft-spoken, wise man who touched their lives in so many wonderful ways. We will miss him greatly.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Kansas City Hospice Association, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, Missouri 64114 or to The Alzheimer's Association, 3846 West 75th Street, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208.
Bill was born November 11, 1925, to Roy and Louise Longmire in Utica, Mississippi. His early days in Utica were spent in the sleepy, lush setting of weeping willows, where he, his brothers Bob and Harmon, and parents lived amongst good neighbors and friends. Bill's life's journey included being a WWII Sergeant at Camp Pickering in the Post Surgeon's office. Following his service, he became a graduate of Millsaps College in Chemistry. Eventually his love of music lead him to the Music Academy of the West on the campus of the University of Santa Barbara. He was afforded the opportunity to study under the direction of renowned singer John Charles Thomas, who took a particular liking to Bill's beautiful baritone voice. The two men were in contact with one another until Thomas's death some years later. Bill went on tour in the United States performing in the play John Brown's Body. The end result was a stint on Broadway with principal actors Tyrone Power, Raymond Massey, and Judith Anderson. It was a memory he would never forget. Though Bill would eventually become a 35-year employee of Lederle Laboratories, music continued to be a part of his life. For a number years, he served as choir director at Saint John's United Methodist Church in Kansas City,. His wife was by his side as soprano soloist as well as a number of her students and church members who made a beautiful sound for many years.
Music brought another love to Bill's life. A young woman by the name of Martha Ann Holmes also studied voice at the Academy. He married Martha on April 29, 1953. She preceded him in death two month's short of their 59th wedding anniversary. Their union would produce four children and five grandchildren. Those left behind to cherish his memory are Bill Longmire, Jr. married to Gretchen; Lou Paulson married to Mike; Bob Longmire married to Susan; and Jim Longmire. Grandchildren are Erik, Anna, Alex, Colin, and Sam. His loved ones will remember him as a gentle, soft-spoken, wise man who touched their lives in so many wonderful ways. We will miss him greatly.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Kansas City Hospice Association, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 100, Kansas City, Missouri 64114 or to The Alzheimer's Association, 3846 West 75th Street, Prairie Village, Kansas 66208.
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