Russell L. Williams

A Beloved, husband, father, and grandfather, Russell Lee Williams, age 81, passed away July 24, 2016 with his family by his side. Russ, as he preferred to be called, was born August 10,1934, the forth of six children of Forrest J. and Ione C. (Reed) Williams of Lansing, Mi. He went to Eastern high school before enlisting in the United States Army during the Korean War where he served in the Pacific Theater. After Korea he was stationed in Hawaii as a Search and Rescue paratrooper for several years before receiving an honorable discharge. During his military career, he earned the Korean Service Medal, The National Defense Medal, the United Nations Service Medal and the Purple Heart.

After his Military career ended, Russ returned to Michigan, and his Lansing roots, taking classes at DeVry Technical Institute after being talked into accompanying his brother, Dick, to interviews at the Board of Water & Light. After hiring in initially as a general laborer, Russ eventually worked his way up to supervisor, before retiring after 33.3 years of service.

Russ was a skilled builder, a wood-working craftsman, avid golfer, and devoted husband who could typically be found working in his garage or wintering the past thirteen years in Lake Okeechobee, Florida. When home, Russ was always puttering around the house working on various projects dreamt up by his wife or enjoying coffee at the Cedar Street McDonald’s. He also enjoyed his trips to the local Dairy Queen with his grandchildren.

Friends and family will miss his love, sense of humor, knowledge and compassion for those who passed through his life.

He is survived by his loving wife of 25 years, Donna; her children, Roger (Mandy) Zarobinski of Perrysburg, OH, Laura (David) Lemke of Grand Blanc; his children, Mike Williams of Lansing, Russell “Rusty” (Cheree) Williams of Arizona; eight grandchildren, Kelsey, Kayla, Xander, Mira, Cassie, Brandy, Michael, Aaron; sisters, Shirley (Gale) Coy, Connie (Carlon) Tharp, brother Bob (Doris) Williams, sisters-in-law, Marilyn Williams, Kathy (Ken) Wilson, many special nieces and nephews and good friends, Jon (Debbie) Conroy, Gary (Lorna) Wilton, and coffee buddy Lupe Delgado.

Russ was preceded in death by his parents; Forrest and Ione Williams, his grandparents, Hugh & Clara Reed, sister Patricia Knuth, and brother, Richard Williams.

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, August 10 at 11:00 A.M. at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Lansing Chapel, 900 E. Michigan Ave. Lansing, Michigan, 48912 with Eulogist Mr. Jon Conroy. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, August 10 one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

Final interment will be held at the Great Lakes National Cemetery, 4200 Belford Road, Holly, Michigan 48442. There will be graveside services at 2:00 P.M. with Military Honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in honor of Mr. Williams may be made to the Disabled American Veterans (DAV). Online condolences can be made at www.grlansing.com