Obituary of William M. Russell

William M. Russell, age 88, departed this earth on Friday, August 14th, after a brief illness.  The second oldest of six children (Anne Marie, Maureen, Robert and pre-deceased by David and John), Bill was born in Holyoke to William D. Russell and Helen Fenton.  He moved as a young child to Belchertown where he lived until 2019.  Bill was a devoted husband to his wife Shirley Barbara (Fleurent) for 52 years until her passing in 2011.  Bill was a loving father to his three children & their spouses, daughter Barbara Russell-Childs & Edward Childs of Norton,  daughter Rosanne Russell & Scott Burns of Wakefield,  and son William J. Russell & Sara Russell of Shrewsbury.  Bill was the star storyteller at every holiday family gathering, regaling the family with tales of growing up on a small town farm, of Irish immigrant grandparents, life during his military service, and thoughts on the politics of the day.  In addition to his quick wit, absolute kindness and a sense of humor, Bill was a brilliant man with a keen mind for polymer chemistry and a propensity to always have an index card & pen in his breast pocket.  After proudly serving our country as an Air Force Navigator for two years, he earned his Bachelors in Science from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and was an Executive Chemistry/Laboratory Manager for Johnson & Johnson, and later an Executive Textile Manufacturing Manager for Facemate Corporation in Chicopee.  While working full-time and raising a family, he obtained both his Masters degree and his PhD from the University of Connecticut in Storrs.  Bill was a dedicated public servant; he served as a long term member and past Chair of the Belchertown School Committee from the 1970s to the 1990s.  Bill dearly loved Belchertown and the people in it.  He especially enjoyed the friendships made with his Aerobics Swimming group in recent years.  Bill’s legacy of life will be carried on by his children and grandchildren who brought him true joy: Skyler Burns, Cara & Cate Childs, and Will & Evelyn Russell.  The family will celebrate Bill’s life at a private burial to be held at Quabbin Cemetery, Ware. We will always carry Bill Russell’s memory in our hearts, and may the angels protect him until we meet again.