Billy Noel Russell, age 84, passed away on June 17, 2016 after a long illness. He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Earlene Russell of Cullman, Alabama. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Shirley Patterson Russell; his brother, Bob Russell (Sandy), five children; Julie Hall, Laura Kellogg (Terry), Karen Martin, Jennifer Ricks (Jimmy) and Kelly Russell (Laura); ten grandchildren; Ben Hall (Kristin), Zak Kellogg, Zane Kellogg (Beth), Katharine Thomas (Jake), Andrew Martin, Will Chappell (Dannah), Caroline Chappell, Allison Russell, Elizabeth Russell and Curtis Russell; and five great grandchildren: Zander, Braun, Magnus and Oliver Kellogg and Oliver Thomas.
Bill was born in Itawamba County, Mississippi in 1931. His Family moved to Cullman, Alabama in 1940. Later he graduated from Cullman High School in 1949. Bill graduated from Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) in 1953 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering where he was a member of the engineering honor fraternity, Tau Beta Pi. He began his career at Esso (Now Exxon) in Alvin, Texas. He made several moves with Esso and eventually was at corporate headquarters in Houston, Texas. He later moved the family back to Alabama where he started Russell Forest Products. He was a member of Lions Club, Habitat for Humanity, and served on the Hartselle City Schools Board of Education. He is remembered as a loving husband and father, and a generous and fair employer. He was a long time member of the First Baptist Church of Hartselle,
The family wants to recognize and thank his faithful, loving caregivers: *Brenda Kirby, Jessica Hale, Tina Merrell and Sonja Whisman; as well as the caregivers from Alabama Health Care Specialists. The family is so grateful to them all. They would also like to thank Hospice of the Valley for their wonderful care and support of Mr. Russell in the final stages of his illness.
Visitation will be at Peck Funeral Home; Friday, June 24th from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Funeral Service will be Saturday, June 25th at 11:00 AM in the Peck Funeral Home Chapel.
In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to “Habitat for Humanity”: P.O.Box 1651, Decatur, Alabama 35602.
Peck Funeral Home
