Wilson was born in Monticello, Mississippi and moved with his parents to Baton Rouge at the age of 3. He was the second son of Ellis and Catherine Russell. He attended North
Highlands Elementary, Istrouma Junior High, and graduated from Istrouma High School in
1954. Wilson played and loved almost every sport he tried. He met the love of his life, Elaine
Miller at Istrouma and they were married in 1956. After attending LSU and the University of
Louisiana at Lafayette, Wilson began working at the East Baton Rouge Parish Building
Inspection Office. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to his first business, drawing house plans
throughout Baton Rouge. His passion for working with his hands led him to become a Master
Carpenter. Wilson’s love for designing homes progressed into building them and each house
was made with pride and perfection. He was very hands on during the entire building process,
even teaching Carpentry in his free time at the local Carpenters Union. From the House
Building business, he entered the Commercial Building business and finally retired as Executive
Vice President from Layher Inc., an International Scaffold Rental and Sales company. Wilson
never met a stranger and challenged himself and everyone he worked with to always do their
best. Wilson and Elaine have been married for 62 years and together they lived and raised a
family in Baton Rouge. He built his dream house on 13 acres in St. Francisville, moved there in
2000 and lived there until he could no longer take care of the property. Together, they moved
back to Baton Rouge in 2017 to be closer to family as he continued to battle the disease that
was stealing his mind. Wilson always knew the disease was going to win and it has.
Wilson is survived by his loving wife Elaine Russell, his sons, their wives, and his granddaughters, Rory and Beverly Russell, Bailey and Charlotte Russell, Brandon and Laura Russell, Reagan and
Riley Russell. He is also survived by his two brothers, Kenneth and Randy Russell, as well as
numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Ellis and Catherine
Russell and his brother, Bobby Russell.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Greenoaks Funeral Home. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 19, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m. with funeral services to follow at 12 p.m. Burial will follow in Greenoaks Memorial Park.
Honorary Pallbearers are Carroll DiBenedetto, J.P. Averette, Lawrence (Bucky) Thibobeaux, B.L. Fairchild, Gene Duke, Don Nichols, Don Hooks, Wayne Stabiler Sr, and Hots Aull. The family would like to thank Linda Miller, Lelia Johnson, Dr. Banda and the staff at BR General, the staff at Bridgeway Hospice and The Crossing for their kindness and support.
In Lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Alzheimer’s Association.
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