Maj. Russell H. Williams, Sr. U. S. Army Ret.

After a brave battle with multiple illnesses, Maj. Russell H. Williams, Sr., U. S. Army, Ret., of Temple, went to heaven on Friday, January 5, 2018 at his home at the golden age of 93. He was born on February 23, 1924 in Jackson, Tennessee to Herbert E. and Gladys (Scoggins) Williams. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM Thursday, January 11, 2018 at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home with Revs. Andy Davis and Jimmy Hinton officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Salado Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 5:00 - 6:00 PM Wednesday, January 10th at the funeral home. Maj. Williams was a retired Army veteran that served in WWII and Korea. After retiring, he worked at ITT Grinnell and managed Temple Mobile Home Truss Company. He and his wife owned Mary’s Clothing Store and Friday’s Sandwich Shop. Russell saw Mary walking down the street in Paducah, Kentucky and fell in love with “the love of his life and best friend” in 1946. They married on March 9, 1946 and enjoyed each other until her death in 1993. He was a tremendous athlete and excelled in both basketball and baseball. He and his brother were both highly recruited for basketball by many colleges but never played because they both volunteered for the Army during WWII. Russell was also an avid golfer. He also enjoyed his twice weekly games of Canasta. He and Mary both were members of Meadow Oaks Baptist Church where he served as a deacon. Russell was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Orin; his wife, Mary and his oldest grandson, Russell Keith. Survivors include his only son, Russell Jr. and wife Linda; their son, Matthew Kirk; and four great grandchildren, Emily, Grant, Avery and Asher. Memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.