Russell Peter Williams, Sr.

1951 – 2019

Russell Peter Williams, Sr., at the age of 68, passed away on August 7, 2019. He was born in Winona, Minnesota on March 12, 1951. Russ is survived by his ever-patient wife, Ileen, who was the love of his life. This is a fact she gladly accepted sympathy for during their 47 years of marriage. He is also survived by their five children Crystal Wade and husband Rob, Samantha Williams, Brandi Dickerson and husband Raoul, Russell Williams, Jr. and partner Shalita Maharaj, Misty Williams and husband Tony Martinez, Grandchildren Jacob, Zachary and Lauren Wade, Phoebe Dickerson, Makayla and Raiden Martinez, Ryan Bagdikian and Sarai Williams, younger sisters Mary Corey and Sheila Dees and numerous loving, nieces, nephews and friends.

Mark Twain once said, "I will never let my schooling get in the way of my education." Russ loved to skip school and go to the local pool hall to spend his day and when he didn't skip school the nuns at his Catholic school loved the fine work he put in cleaning the erasers and trimming the school grounds with scissors. But Russ was a smart man, passionate about his trade as a locksmith, and on that faithful day of August 7th God must have needed new locks at the pearly gates. Russ Williams answered the call.

Russ entered the Navy in the fall of 1969 timed perfectly between the Summer of Love and the Winter of Regret. He served his country proudly and honorably through 1975 . In early 1972, he met the love of his life, Ileen Boughner, and by year end in November at the Navel Chapel in Charleston, South Carolina they were married.

Despite his crusty exterior, cutting remarks and stubbornness, there is actual evidence that he was a loving, giving and caring person. That evidence is the deep sorrow and pain felt in the hearts of his family from his passing. . . Russ led a good life and had a peaceful death --- but the transition to get there was a bitch. We know God allowed Russ to take that same love, care, and passion to Heaven to begin his watch over his grandchildren, sheltering and protecting them. Russ enjoyed many things including, beef jerky, Snickers, Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, cold beer, free beer, shooting pool, Jimmy Hendrix, The Who, the History, Military & Discovery Channels (all with closed captioning of course), war movies, Wheel of Fortune, discussing who makes the best Philly Cheesesteak, anything Houston Texans and Astros, old Buicks, and above all, his family.

He was a loving man, who quickly disarmed you with his bright smile and a simple, "how you doing" extending his arm with a firm handshake. Russ died knowing with certainty that Airplane and the Blues Brothers were the best movies ever, that Clint Eastwood was the "baddest" man in the world and James Bond had the coolest gadgets in the world and that no one made a better steak than Taste of Texas. Russ was a husband, father, grandpa, uncle and big brother who will be warmly remembered and greatly missed by all of us.

Family and friends are invited to a visitation viewing on Wednesday, August 14th from 5-8pm at Klein Funeral Home, 9719 Wortham Blvd., Houston, Texas 77065.

This will be followed by a funeral service with Military Honors on Thursday, August 15th at 2:00pm at Klein Funeral Home, 9719 Wortham Blvd., Houston, Texas 77065.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like donations to help America's veterans and their families by contributing in Russ's name at Folds of Honor https://www.foldsofhonor.org .