William Russell “Russ” Smith passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on June 2, 2022.  He was 86 years young at the time of his passing, and in those 86 years has seen so many changes in the world from TV’s to the landing on Mars.  He was alive during many of the turning points in world history and enjoyed reliving the milestone through documentaries on his Smart TV.  He also loved telling stories to his family about his life and his ancestors’ lives which were always entertaining and educational with usually finding tidbits of new information about Russ and his family.

Those who knew Russ very well, knew that he loved family, had a great sense of humor and loved to give nicknames to many of the kids that came into his life, including his own daughters.  He and his wife opened their home for many years to foster children as well as foreign exchange students, many of whom still kept in touch with him over the years with visits, phone calls and messages from afar.

Russ was born on January 23, 1936, in Batavia, Ohio.  He moved to California in his young adult years where he was drafted into the US Army and served for two years.  Upon being discharged from the Army, he and his father brought his three younger brothers, Jim, Dan & Herb, to California where they raised them.  He met and married his wife of 57 years, Linda during this time in California.  They raised four daughters, Michele Boyer (Rob), Stephanie Johnson, Heidi Korthius (Mike), June Lanata (Brian), and one adopted son, John.  Through foster children, he was gifted with two additional daughters, Jenny Hunt (Robert) and Bev Smissaert.  He is also survived by three of his brothers, Jim (Roxanna), Dan (Erlene) and Herb; a sister, Becky; a cousin, Janice Gibson; many grandkids and great grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Frank and Richard; sister, Sharon and granddaughter, Karissa Carlson.

A Graveside Service will be held at 1:00pm, Thursday, June 16, 2022, at Union Cemetery, Sedro-Woolley.  A Celebration of Life will be held at 3:00pm, June 25, 2022, at 207 Unity St, Bellingham, WA 98225. Share your memories of Russ and sign the online guest register.