Billy Earl Russell

Bill was born December 11, 1926 to Lois Edna Walford and William Martin Russell of Lafayette Township, Madison County, IN. He grew up in Daleville, IN where he attended school through the 8th grade. Bill was a hard worker from childhood and throughout his life, sometimes keeping three jobs. Bill enlisted in the Navy in 1944, and was stationed in the Philippines for 2 years during WWII. When he returned he married Joan Ballinger of Daleville, began his career of 40 years with Muncie Chevrolet, and also became a father in 1948 to a baby girl, Linda. Over the years Bill worked full time at the factory, and had several side jobs to provide for his family. He often told stories from working at the local furniture store delivering furniture to installing carpet. He always kept busy, he especially enjoyed wood working. He started a small business making canes with brass hames knobs, and took a trunk load on their vacations, and weekend drives where he sold them throughout Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Arkansas, and Oklahoma.
After 65 years he, and Joan sold their home in the woods, and moved to Oklahoma to be closer to his daughter, and grandkids. He still had to stay busy so he became a very proud “Country Gentleman” for Cracker Barrel, became friends with local home builders, and got permission to collect excess scraps of wiring. He would ride his bike, and collect the wiring in his basket, strip the copper, cash it in, buy can foods, and donated to the Skyline Ministries in OKC. He had a big heart, and liked to give out $2 bills, and $1 gold coins to kids that were being well behaved in public. He also bought, and collected different type of balls, and made a ball tree so when kids of the neighborhood passed by they could use one ball to throw up to “win” a ball of their choice.
Bill is preceded in death by his mother, father, 4 brothers, 1 sister, his wife Joan and 2 daughters, Linda and Kathy Marleen. He is survived by his Granddaughter, Kathy Brown Blackwell, and Grandson Robert Blackwell. Grandson, Lonnie “Joe” Brown (wife Phyllis), Great Grandchildren: Ryan, Corey and Leigha Blackwell, Courtney Kent and Joseph Brown and several Great-Great Grandkids. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 1:30 pm at Moore Funeral Home & Cremation located at 400 SE 19th St. in Moore, Oklahoma with a Funeral Service to follow at Moore City Cemetery located at 800 SW 4th St, Moore, OK 73160.

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