William Lewis Russell, Jr.

William "Bill" Lewis Russell, Jr., 84, of Concord, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at Tucker Hospice House, Kannapolis, NC.

Bill was born September 22, 1941, in Charlotte, NC, to the late William L. and Mary G. Russell.  Bill was also preceded in death by his brother, Robert "Bob" Griffin Russell.

He graduated from Charlotte's Harding High School in 1959. He earned a BA in Economics in 1963 from Presbyterian College in Clinton, SC, and married his wife of 62 years, Betty Dean Grubb.

Bill then went to work for Allstate Insurance in June 1964. In October 1966, he was drafted by the US Army. He completed Basic Training and Officer Candidate School at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Bill was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and served in the 3rd Armor Division. After the two years in Germany, Bill returned to the United States and was honorably discharged. He went back to work for Allstate Insurance Company until he retired from them in 1996. He then went to work for Thaxton Insurance Group until his permanent retirement in 2003.

Bill is survived by his wife, Betty Russell of Concord, NC; son, Duane Russell of Dothan, AL; nephew, Brent (Tracie) Russell of Waxhaw; and great niece, Zoey Russell.

Bill's services will be held on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Westford Methodist Church, 273 Hwy 49 South, Concord, NC; 704-782-1423. The family will receive friends from 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm. The service will follow at 1:00 pm, officiated by Rev. Jeffrey J. Rushing and Rev. Burton Robinson.

Following the service, Bill will be laid to rest with military honors at Rowan Memorial Park, 4125 Franklin Community Center Road, Salisbury, NC; 704-636-8751.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Westford Methodist Church, 273 Hwy 49 South, Concord NC 28025, or Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care Cabarrus, 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Concord is serving the Russell family.