Willie Gene Russell

WILLIE GENE RUSSELL

Was born in Pemiscott County, Missouri on January 28, 1933 the son of the late Otis Andrew and Clura Mae Alexander Russell.

On August 5, 1961 he was united in marriage to Janell Gammill, who survives.

Mr. Russell served his country in the United States Navy. He was on the Aircraft Carrier , Rombach and the USS Hancock, which he was a 2nd class Petty Officer. While living in Decatur County for 40 years, he was a teacher for 32 years at Decatur County Riverside High School and was the owner and operator of Russell's Machine Shop in Decaturville, Tennessee. Mr. Russell loved working with metal and was very proficient in drive shaft work. He also worked at the Atomic Energy Commission for 2 years in Oak Ridge, Tennessee in the Y-12. Mr. Russell was a member of the Baptist Church in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. He was also a member Tennessee Retired Teachers Association and a lifetime member of the National Education Association.

Mr. Russell departed this life on October 26, 2015 in Memphis, Tennessee at the age 82 years, 8 months and 28 days.

In addition to his wife Janell of 54 years of Savannah, Tennessee, he is survived by his children, Roger Russell and his wife, Sheila of Savannah, Tennessee and Marilyn Lunsford and her husband Michael of Olive Branch , Mississippi

three grandchildren, Alexis Lunsford, Ian Lunsford and Elizabeth Lunsford

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by one sister, Frances Banks, three brothers, James, Robert and Ted Russell.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or to New Harmony Cemetery Fund.