William John Russell, Jr.

DAPHNE, AL William John Russell, Jr., age 87, a native and lifelong resident of Daphne, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Sunday, October 25th, 2015. Bill was a lifelong member of Christ the King Catholic Church. He was a graduate of McGill Institute and received his BS in Accounting from the University of Notre Dame. He went on to graduate from the University of Alabama School of Law where he served on the Editorial Board of the Alabama Law Review. He was employed at International Paper Company for over 30 years, retiring as a Financial Corporate Executive . Bill also practiced law and was an active member of the Alabama Bar Association for more than 50 years. He was National Director of the NAA (currently, the IMA) and served as president, vice-president and director of the Mobile chapter. He was inducted into the Stuart Cameron McLeod Society. Mr. Russell loved his country and community, serving in the Navy during WWII and as a Daphne City Councilman for 12 years. Additionally, he was a charter member of a local Mardi Gras Mystic Society. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Maxine Byrd Russell of Daphne; five children, Jay (Jenny) Russell of Shreveport, LA, Julie Russell (Milt) Rowell of Daphne, Geri Russell Lee of Daphne, Daryl (Missy) Russell of Mobile, Dwayne (Carrie) Russell of Mobile; nineteen Grandchildren, Justine, Chelsea, Sam and Brendan Russell, Michael, Emily and Jack (Cindy) Sawyer, Joanna (Dave) Dorsett, Emily (Herb) Bullock, Richard, Sarah, Mary Jo and Rebecca Lee, Brian, Bradley, Thomas and Julia Russell, Morgan and Andi Russell; three great grandsons.many other relatives and friends. He was proceeded in death by his parents, William John Russell Sr. and Emma Predazzer Russell, his sister, Emily Russell Rayford, brother-in-law, Roy Curtis Rayford and his grand daughter, Kathryn Marie Lee. Mass of Christian burial will be held from Christ the King Catholic Church, Thusrday, October 29th, 2015, at 11:00am. The family will receive friends at the church from 10:00am until the service time. Interment will follow in Belforest Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Christ the King building fund. ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 27409 U. S. HWY. 98 DAPHNE, AL 36526 (251)625-2900 www.wolfefuenralhomes.com