William W. “Bill” Russell, 88, died Sunday, Dec. 31 at the David James Hospice at the Bedford VA after a long illness. He was the son of Robert G. Russell and Irene (Nies) Russell. Russell was in the Navy as an Aviation Ordnance man during the Korean War and graduated from the University of Maine in 1952 as a history major. For many years he was an insurance salesman in Hamilton.
As a young man, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, ice skating and barbershop harmonizing. He spent a lot of time at his family farmhouse in New Hampshire. Russell was a Civil War buff and enjoyed vintage cars. Toward the end of his life, he enjoyed watching Ken Burns’s “Civil War,” war movies and entertaining the participants with his songs at Sarah’s Place, Wingate Rehab and the David James Hospice.
He spent two-and-a-half months at the David James Hospice at the Bedford VA where they took great care of him and he died in a compassionate environment.
He was predeceased by two brothers Robert Jr. and John Russell.
Russell is survived by two daughters, Patricia Burner of Falmouth, Maine and Janet Conant of Haverhill. He also leaves four grandchildren, Jeff and Alex Conant and Deirdre and Averil Burner and two great grandchildren.
Contributions can be made in his name to The David James Hospice, Bedford VA, 200 Springs Road, Bedford, MA 01730.