The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

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Condolences

January 20, 2013

William "Bill" Russell

The Joplin Globe

PITTSBURG, KS —

William "Bill" R. Russell, 87, of Pittsburg, Kan., passed away at Via Christi Village on Jan. 11, 2013.

He was born on Dec. 23, 1925, to Frank and Viola (Shelton) Russell in St. Louis, Mo.  

Bill spent much of his early life in Missouri and Michigan, working as a dental technician and a sales manager for the Aderer Gold Company and Degussa Group. Before moving to Kansas in 2012, he spent his retirement years in Florida. Bill served in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II stationed in the South Pacific. He was a 32nd degree Master Mason for over 50 years and a member of the Azan Shriners Temple in Melbourne, Fla. He volunteered extensively driving over 68,000 miles transporting children and their parents to Shriner Hospitals.

Survivors include his two daughters, Rana Travis and her husband, Chip, of Pittsburg, and Vanece Williams and her husband, Chuck, of Springfield, Mo.; seven grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren. Bill was gloriously reunited with his daughters after many years and enjoyed the last year of his life getting acquainted with his grandchildren, watching his great-grandchildren play and being loved and cared for by his daughters. He was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Robert Russell; his first wife, Bernice Russell Goad in 2007; and his second wife, Regina Sydney Russell in 2011.

A memorial will be held at South Gate Baptist Church, Springfield, on Jan. 24th, at 2 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the mission funds at Covenant Harvest Church, Pittsburg, or South Gate Baptist Church, Springfield.

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