Dr. William Russell remembered

I sat in front of Dr. Russell in church once, and noticed his beautiful tenor voice. I'm sure he sings with the choirs of Heaven!

- Irving Douglas Estella, '79

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"Dr. Russell was my World History prof. in 1960. He was a gracious man and very dedicated to his chosen subject. He knew more about history than anyone I know. Praise God that Dr. Russell is enjoying God's good things for him. My prayers are with the family."

- Sarah Jean Thompson

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"As a student from '59 to '63, I remember Dr. Russell walking to the library with his book case. He was in Chapel often as a speaker. He was very interesting. My sympathy to the family."

- Don Winegar

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"During my two years at Geneva College, Dr. Russell served as my faculty advisor and was kind to me. I praise God for Dr. Russell's life of service."

- Thomas M. Muldoon

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"I have many great memories of Bill as I was growing up in the College Hill church and around the campus. Bill became a good friend as an adult and I fondly remember the many times talking with him. He will be missed but we celebrate that he is with his Savior and Lord!"

- Steve Rhodes

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"Dr. Russell was one of my favorite professors, so much so I minored in history. His teaching immersed you in the period and events--if you took good notes and studied them, you did well on his tests. I appreciated his dry wit and genuine concern for his students. I will pray for his family."

- Richard Headley (B.S.Bus.Adm. '62)

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"Bill Russell was the representation of a good and gentle man. During my 26 years of working at the College, I was fortunate to work with him directly in the Dean′s Office for over five years. Memories of him bring a smile to my face; he was so organized, his desk was so neat and he worked on his projects without the normal clutter that everyone else seemed to need. Most of all, he had his priorities in the exact right place. No matter how busy he was, he walked home each day to have lunch with his wife, Martha. There was no doubt in my mind that he was our strength at work and she was his strength at home. There was a bond between them that Bill didn't talk about much but when we talked about holidays, vacations, or just weekends, the way he said "Martha and I" made you know that she was the person that made him smile. We all know that Bill is smiling down on us from above, with his unique grin, because he made his commitment to the Lord and stuck by it in every way. Martha, thank you for sharing Bill with us all those years and as you move forward without him, always remember how much he loved you."

- Mary Agnes Tondo

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"I am truly saddened to hear of Dr. Russell's passing. He was a Geneva College Icon. Dr. Russell was my History department academic advisor in the early 1970's and provided me with guidance and knowledge that put me on the path to success in business and in life.

I rejoice at his arrival in the Kingdom but will miss our discussions and his presence at campus events."

- Ted Kay, President - Geneva Alumni Council

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"I didn't have the opportunity to know Dr. Russell, but I want to extend my deepest sympathy to Martha, my class mate."

- Marge Morgan Wilson

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"Dr. Russell was my prof for Freshman history in 1959 & made the class so interesting that I ended up taking several elective history courses and developed a life-long interest in history!"

- Marge Moser

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"Following invaluable service to Geneva College, Bill gave himself as Registrar and Professor of Church History at the RP Seminary. He leaves a legacy of making Church History fascinating and commitment to the Scriptures essential. We honor his memory and pray for his family.

- Bruce C. Stewart, President-Emeritus, Reformed Presbyterian Theological Seminary

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"This departure came suddenly and unexpectedly for Flora '83, Dumisa, Thandeko '07 and myself '80. Bill was Dean to both Flo and me, and our families have kept close ever since. We miss him dearly."

- Mqhele E. Dlodlo

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"My thoughts and prayers are with Dr. Russell's family.

Growing up and eventually growing up in, and being nurtured by the Geneva College Christian environment I certainly consider Dr. Russell as a legendary icon. His legacy will exist eternal.

May God Bless!"

- John Aultman

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"Between 1955 and 1960 I took just about every history course Dr. Russell offered. He could make a dry subject (to me) become alive. We will all miss him."

- Scott Boyle

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"While we rejoice that our brother has been set free and are grateful for his service to the college and the Kingdom, this is a sad time for the college."

- Dean Smith, faculty chair, Bible Department

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