The Rev. Bill Russell went home to be with Jesus December 7, 2016 at the age of 87 years at Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation Center in Many with his family at his bedside. He was born on May 10, 1929 in Fisher to Charles and Lucy Phelps Russell. He attended and graduated from Fisher School in Fisher. After graduation he enlisted in the US Army and was honorably discharged in 1949 as a corporal. In 1951 he met and married the love of his life, Norma Edwards and started a family and was blessed with five children. Bill always loved cooking and in the 1960s he operated the L&L Café in Many and the El Camino Restaurant in Natchitoches. In 1971 he surrendered to the ministry and pastored churches in Sabine and Vernon parishes. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Clinton and Sid Russell; sisters, Helen Eicher and Shelby Rutherford and great grandson Hayden Russell. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Norma Russell of Many; sons, Bryan Russell and wife, Fonda, of Florien, Bobbye Russell and wife, Linda, of Converse, Mark Russell and wife, Pam, of Many and Donald Russell and wife, Cheryl, of Many; daughter, Billie Kay Stinson and husband, David, of Nevada, Texas; sister, Kirby Hayes of Shreveport,; 15 grandchildren; 22 great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren along with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Services were held December 10 at Warren Baptist Church in Fisher with Bros. Louis Slaughter and Bobbye Russell officiating. Burial followed in Warren Cemetery. Pallbearers were Bobbye Russell Jr., Daniel Temple, Matt Talley, Joseph Rainer, Dewayne Lovelady and James Mitchell. Honorary pallbearers were Teddy Russell and Junior Knippers. The family would like to say a special thank you to the staffs of Superior Hospice, Sabine Retirement and Rehabilitation, Warren Meadows Funeral Home and the Rose Petal Flower Shop.
July 15, 2026
