William E. Russell

William E. Russell, 74, of Bidwell, went to be with the Lord, Saturday, December 12, 2009 at the Holzer Medical Center after a short bout with cancer. Born February 19, 1935, the son of Ernest B. and Ruby Ann George Russell of Morgan Center, Vinton, Ohio. He will be missed by his wife of 51 years, Ellen Drummond Russell, whom he married October 16, 1958; by his three daughters, Rebecca Danny Jones of Bidwell, Amanda Mark Smith of Apollo Beach, Florida, and Angela Clifton Browning of Martinsburg, West Virginia; his six granddaughters, Staci Brian Keaton, Kayla Jones, Courtney and Casey Smith, Kelsey and Brieanne Browning; his two great grandchildren, special pal and only boy Jared Burdett and Peyton Keaton, plus all other family members and friends. He is survived by two brothers, Vernon Janet Russell of Rodney and Paul Mary Russell of Bidwell; a sister, Bertha Stover of Gallipolis; a half brother, Norwood Betty Russell of Carroll, Ohio and a half sister, Leah Jefferies of Toledo, Ohio. In addition to his father and mother, he was preceded in death by a sister, Ruby Ernestine Phillip Edmiston, a baby, Susan Ann Russell and ten half brothers and sisters. William was the happiest when he was with his family, lending a helping hand where needed and working outdoors. He was loved for his sense of humor. He retired from the City of Gallipolis after 38 years of service in the Cemetery Department in 1990. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m., Thursday, December 17, 2009 with calling hours at 1:00 p.m. at the Willis Funeral Home with burial to follow in Mound Hill Cemetery. Pastor Cliff Curry will be officiating. Pallbearers will be Danny Jones, Clifton Browning, Bob Drummond, Jim Williams, Vernon Russell, and Carlos Swisher. Honorary pallbearer will be Paul Russell. Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Cemetery: 2009-12-17 Mound Hill Cemetery Gallipolis OH US Visitation: 2009-12-17 13:00:00-14:00:00 Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US Service: 2009-12-17 14:00:00 Willis Funeral Home Gallipolis OH US