William Lee “Bill” Russell Jr.

Funeral services for William Lee “Bill” Russell Jr., 59, of Wilson, Okla., were held Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, at the Crystal Rock Cathedral in Ardmore, with Chaplain Jim Branch of the Christian Motorcycle Association officiating. Interment followed at Hewitt Cemetery in Wilson. Services were under the care and direction of Alexander Funeral Home of Wilson.

Bill was born on September 27, 1952, at Fort Dix, N.J., to William L. Sr. and Lorene (Croan) Russell. He passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012, after a brave fight with cancer.

Bill graduated from high school in Portageville, Mo., in 1971. There he met and married the former Beverley Jane Chessor on June 3, 1972. He was a long-time employee of Valero Refinery of Ardmore, as a welder and was also an industrial firefighter there.

He raised his family in Wilson and was a member of the American Iron Riders and the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 351. He was also a longtime member of the Moose Lodge 504 of Grand Coulee. He enjoyed golf poker and traveling by motorcycle. Bill could fix anything and never met a stranger and he also loved to dance.

Preceding him in death was his beloved daughter, Jilonna “Jill” Jane Henderson; and little brother James Marcus Russell.

Survivors include his two daughters, Heather Jane Cooper and husband Darryl of Ardmore and Chrissy Jane Russell and fiancé Chad Clevenger of Murfreesboro, Tenn .; his longtime sweetheart, Rae Anne Finley of Ardmore and her children: Andrew Finley and Nadia Finley; three grandsons who all bear his name, Devin Russell Henderson, Donovan Russell Nichols and Jackson Russell Cooper; his mother, Lorene Crabtree of Electric City; father William L. Russell Sr., and stepmother, Joyce Ann of Ardmore; sisters, Holly Nelson and husband Ray of Scappose, Ore., Kathi Ballard of Electric City; Cammie Lochard of Comanche and Esther Russell of Fletcher; special nieces, “Jimmy’s girls.” Stephanie Davidson and Nicole McMahan; mother of his children, Beverly Russell of Skieston, Mo .; and numerous nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Pallbearers were Ron Renzelman, Darrell Brown, Darryle Blackman, Steve Barnes, Andrew Finley and Josh Davidson.

Honorary Bearers were Billy Hutson, Jake Whatley, Danny Johnson, Chance Campo, Albert Topetchy, Steve Howard, Clay Presgrove, Steve Price and Don Beard; and the American Iron Riders Association.

In lieu of flowers, everyone is encouraged to make donations to the American Cancer Society, 6525 N. Meridian Ave., #110, Oklahoma City, Okla. 73116 or the Special Olympics, 1133 19th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20036.

Condolences may be sent online at http://www.alexanderfuneralhome.org