William "Bill" Russell

William “Bill” E. Russell age 90 of Coffeyville, Kansas passed away on Sunday, December 22, 2019 at Windsor Place.

Bill was born in Caney, Kansas on August 13, 1929 to Chester G. and Pauline (Roper) Russell. He grew up and went to school in Caney until the war years when the family moved to California to work in the defense plants. When Bill was in high school the family moved back to Coffeyville, where he graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1947.

On June 11, 1949 Bill was united in marriage to Evelyn C. (Austin) Russell. The two were married for 70 wonderful years. To this union were born two daughters, Joyce Kathleen and Vickie Lavon along with two sons, Raymond Glen and Jeffrey Alan.

Except for 1952 to 1954 while enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, they resided around the Liberty and Coffeyville area. Bill worked for Continental Can and later Union Gas which is now Atmos Energy where he retired from in 1992 after 37 years of service.

Bill had many hobbies, the main one being woodworking, he also enjoyed camping and fishing in Arkansas with his wife and family. Bill was a strong church worker; he worked in the Liberty Methodist Church, Dearing Christian Church, and the Caney Christian Church. Bill had retired to the First Church of God in Coffeyville where he has enjoyed the fellowship of God and fellow Christians.

Bill was preceded in death his parents, his brother Bobby Joe Russell and his daughter Joyce Kathleen (Russell) Caldwell.

Bill is survived by his wife, daughter Vickie (Steve) Medsker of Independence, sons; Raymond Glen (Sherrie) Russell of Panama and Jeffrey Alan (Rhonda) Russell of Havana, grandchildren; Eric Sandon (Calli), Brian Sandon (Michelle), Courtney Satterfield (Blake), Jeremy Russell, Kevin Russell (Katie), Jennifer Long (Brice), Nicole Kraft (Richard), Bethany Russell, Tyler Russell (Brittany), Chantel Caldwell, Bill Caldwell (Sherry), along with 26 great-grandchildren with number 27 due any day and 1 great-great-grandchild in March.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, December 27, 2019 at 1:00pm at Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel, 2405 Woodland Ave, Coffeyville, KS. The family will receive friends on Thursday, December 26, 2019 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Chapel. The family suggests memorials be made payable to the First Church of God and they may be sent in care of the Chapel. To leave the family a message of condolence, please visit www.fordwulfbrunschapel.com