FELTON - William M. 'Bill' DeLong, Sr. passed away on Thursday, April 7, 2016, in the Bayhealth-Kent General Hospital. Mr. DeLong was born in Felton, to the late Ira and Pearl DeLong. Bill worked in an auto body shop before he went to work for Swift and Company. After leaving Swift, he went to work for the State of Delaware in the Lake Forest School District, where he retired from. In his younger days, Bill was an avid fisherman and loved to surf fish. He loved to watch sports and NASCAR on television, and enjoyed reading his daily newspaper. Saturday nights were spent with family and friends at the Harrington Moose Lodge, enjoying each others company. Bill loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren, and enjoyed family dinners. Bill will be remembered as a hard working family man. He was loving and caring and a great husband and father. He was the true patriarch of the family and the backbone that held the family together. His strong will and friendly personality will forever be missed. Bill was a member of the Harrington Moose Lodge #534, life member of the Felton Fire Company, and also served for many years on the Felton Town Council. Bill is preceded in death by his wife Doris; his brothers, Robert DeLong, Sr., and Richard DeLong; sister, Doris Hastings; and a son-in-law, Charles Deneumoustier. He is survived by his son, William M. (Wanda) DeLong, Jr., of Felton; daughters, Terri L. Deneumoustier, of Dover, Robin DeLong and her companion, Michael Carlisle, of Felton; sister, Arlene Williams, of Harrington; and his longtime companion, Elizabeth "Betty" Sapp, of Felton; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will take place at Melvin Funeral Home, 15522 South DuPont Hwy., Harrington, on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 at 12 noon. A visitation for family and friends will take place one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place at Hopkins Cemetery, Felton. Arrangements are by the Thomas E. Melvin & Son Funeral Home Inc., Harrington. Visit us at www.melvinfuneralhome.com to send flowers or sign condolence book.