Merrill Longwill

Merrill William Longwill of Roswell and Hondo passed away December 20, 2013. He was born to Theodore J. and Florence Williamson Longwill on August 29, 1918 in Des Moines, NM. He was preceded in death by his wife, Helen Miller Longwill in 2009, his parents, 3 sisters, Edna, Evelyn and Lila and 1 brother, Harold.

Merrill attended Des Moines schools and graduated in 1936. He attended Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM from 1936 to 1940, completing majors in English and Spanish with a minor in Education. He taught school in Capulin, NM, starting in the fall of 1940. In February 1941 he joined the Army Air Corps Flying Cadet program and was assigned to the 75th Bombardment Squadron. He flew 144 missions on antisubmarine patrol along the west coast from Washington to California and 52 combat missions in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. He continued to serve in the Ready Reserve and attained the rank of Colonel.

On September 2, 1942, Merrill married Helen Corrine Miller from Clovis, NM. He was a member of and past President of Roswell Rotary Club. In January, 2001, Merrill was recognized for 50 years as a New York Life Insurance Agent. Merrill and Helen loved their Apple Farm in the Hondo Valley and enjoyed reminiscing with military and college friends.

Merrill is survived by 3 sons, Robert Longwill and his wife Bonnie of San Patricio, NM William Longwill, DDS and his wife Michelle of Fountain Hills, AZ and Thomas Longwill, DDS of Roswell, NM. 8 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.

The family will be receiving visitation on Monday, December 23, 2013 at 1:00 PM with a Eulogy at 1:30 at LaGrone Funeral Chapel. A private, family memorial will be scheduled at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests you make a donation to a charity of your choice

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