William P. Russell

William Paul "Bill" Russell Jr., age 52, of Marshall, went home to his Lord on Saturday, June 24, 2006, while at home surrounded by the family and music he loved. Bill was born December 6, 1953 in Bellaire, Michigan to William Paul and Mary Lou (Maxwell) Russell. He was raised in Jackson and graduated from Napoleon High School in 1972. He then attended Jackson Community College and Central Michigan Unitersity where he majored in religion. While at Central, Bill worked his way through college years working three jobs at once, as a chef at the Ember''s Restaurant, a car wash manager, and a UPS employee in Mt. Pleasant. He graduated from CMU with a Bachelor of Arts in 1977. Bill became acquainted with Deanna D. "Dee" Gauss while growing up. They were off and on sweethearts over the years. After deciding they were well suited to each other, they were married on May 31, 1975 in Jackson. The couple lived in the Albion and Bellevue areas before moving to Marshall area in 1982. After graduating from CMU, Bill served as the Youth Minister at St. Louis United Methodist Church for two years as well as worked at Gauss'' Green Valley Golf Course in Jackson. Bill became the Evening Administrator for Napoleon High School''s Adult Education Program in 1979. In 1985 he was hired by Jackson Community College and became administrator at their Hillsdale Center. He served in several positions for JCC, and at last worked as the Administrator for their Michigan Works Program. In that job, Bill focused on going to factories that were closing in the area and setting up the proper educational programs for retraining the soon to be displaced employees. At the age of 47 Bill was stricken with cancer. He continued to work until his health wouldn''t allow it, and he retired in 2003. Bill''s faith in God was very strong, and he ministered to many people over the last 30 years. He was a member of Marshall United Methodist Church where he was the Praise Band Leader. Bill was a talented musician who played the guitar , composed and recorded music. In 1990, he and wife Dee organized the "Grain Coffeehouse" at the UMC. Many young people have enjoyed gathering there to enjoy music in a Christian atmosphere. They also held the annual "Blues Jam" at the church to raise funds for the Haven of Rest. Bill served the United Methodist churches that he belonged to as a youth counselor. He had been a counselor at summer Methodist Church camps at Wesley Woods, Crystal Springs and Lake Louise UMC Camps. At Lake Louise, he had served as camp Dean for 6 years. He also led music and did whatever was needed of him.. Bill engaged in missionary work, going with his wife to Appalachia with a church work team twice. He and his son Bill also traveled to Haiti with the church mission team, a trip he undertook the day he walked out of a hospital stay for his cancer treatment. He was a member of the Board Of Directors for the Haven of Rest Shelter in Battle Creek. He was a Relay For Life volunteer for a number of years, and had even provided live music during the annual walk. Bill enjoyed gardening with his wife Dee, creating beautiful gardens around their home. Bill''s own creation was their oriental garden at the back of the house. Bill enjoyed numerous hobbies throughout his life. He enjoyed riding motorcycles and raced them when he was a young man. He also bicycled extensively. He liked to camp with his family. Bill enjoyed sports, and was always his son''s very own personal coach for any sport Bill was playing. Of course music always was a favorite since he was very young. Bill played in two bands with his daughter Lannea, "Broken Chair" and "Renoir". He was an avid golfer. He learned to golf from his wife Dee at her parent''s golf course Gauss'' Green Valley. At first, she constantly was the winner of their matches. Bill became an avid golfer, improving his game so that in time he became the victor. Bill was an off road enthusiast, utilizing his Dodge Ram pick up truck that he had modified for the purpose. After his children showed up with new tattoos, Bill was found to sporting his own tattoos. On his right arm he had a Celtic Cross with guitars around it , and a dove and Japanese script on his left arm signifying peace, love and justice, the three principles of Christ. Surviving are his wife of 31 years, Deanna "Dee" Russell; their children, William Paul (Erin) Russell of Kenosha, WI and Lannea (William) Byers of Allendale and granddaughter Emma Byers; his mother and step-father Mary Lou and James Martin of Bokeelia, FL and father and step-mother William Paul and Bea Russell . of Zephyrhills, FL; and his sisters, Susan (Gary) Gauss of Jackson and Mary Jo (Jeff) Stimer of Hanover. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home on Monday from 2PM to 9PM, where the family will be present to greet friends and share memories of Bill from 2PM to 4PM and 6PM to 8PM. Funeral services to celebrate and remember his life and his Lord will be held on Tuesday at 1:30PM at Marshall United Methodist Church with Rev. Len Schoenherr officiating. Interment will follow in Oakridge Cemetery. The family suggests that friends who wish may direct memorial contributions to the Haven Of Rest or the United Methodist Church for the Contemporary Worship Service. Assistance with memorials available at Kempf Funeral Home