William John Russell

Captain William John Russell, 92 of Woodbridge passed away on Sunday, October 15, 2023 peacefully in his home.

Bill was born on May 14, 1931 in San Rafael, California, the only son to William Alexander Russell Jr and Marie Leone Russell née Paysse. He was a 1953 graduate of the Coast Guard Academy, where he earned 9 Varsity letters, received the American Legion Outstanding Athlete award upon graduation and was later inducted into the USCG Academy Athletic Hall of Fame in 1976.
Bill started his career on CGC Taney as a deck watch officer and then transferred to the CGC Chautauqua out of Honolulu, HI as a student engineer. From Hawaii, CAPT Russell was assigned to Pensacola, FL where he completed his Naval Flight training in 1956 and was designated CG Aviator #712. While in Pensacola, he met and married his loving wife of 67 years, Marjorie Louise Blue.

Once his aviation career started, CAPT Russell flew many different aircraft starting in fixed-wing with the UF-2G Albatross and the Martin PBM Mariner and later qualifying in the Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw and the HH52 Seaguard helicopters along with many others. CAPT Russell served as the Operations Officer at Air Station Houston, Texas and Traverse City, Michigan, Executive Officer at Annette Island, Alaska, and the Commanding Officer at Air Station Savannah, Georgia and Air Station Borinquen, Puerto Rico. In 1965, CAPT Russell flew and assisted in the recovery of the NASA Gemini III spacecraft, being first on scene to the landing site.

His awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Coast Guard Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Coast Guard Commendation Medal, and Coast Guard Unit Commendation Medal.

In 1960, during CAPT Russell’s first aviation tour at Sangley Point, Philippines, CAPT Russell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his expert airmanship, dauntless valor, and unwavering devotion to duty during a search and rescue case looking for a downed commercial airliner. CAPT Russell’s decisive actions resulted in the spotting and rescue of 57 survivors by landing his UF-2G Albatross in heavy seas and taxiing the survivors to safe water.

In 1965, CAPT Russell was awarded the Air Medal for his skill, courage and sound judgement while flying disaster relief following Hurricane Betsy. Despite very poor visibility and low ceilings, he flew dangerous missions close to treetops, power lines and obstructions, and saved 225 persons, including the medical evacuation of a pregnant woman.

After flying for 15 years, CAPT Russell was assigned the Chief of Search and Rescue in District 12, and later served as the Chief of the Office of Search and Rescue at Coast Guard Headquarters, and the Commanding Officer of Training Center Cape May. CAPT Russell served a long and rewarding career in the Coast Guard and retired after 30 years of service. He will be inducted into the Coast Guard Hall of Heroes on October 27, 2023.

Bill was also a loving father, grandfather, and great grandfather, and was deeply loved by his family. He was a great storyteller and was always happy to bring levity into any situation with a twinkle in his eye. In retirement he enjoyed many hobbies including golf, making custom golf clubs, woodworking, and brewing beer. He enjoyed visiting his family across the US and could be counted on to enjoy a martini with anyone.

Survivors include his wife Margie Russell; his children, Bill and Donna Russell, Mitch and Florinda Russell, Neil and Kathy Russell and Sheri and Mike Buehler; his grandchildren, Deanna and Corbin Behnken, Bill Russell and Sylvia Zsido, Andy and Rochelle Russell, Jenny and David Pettingill, Taylor Russell, Travis and Maddie Russell, Brian Russell, Autum and Josh Sullivan, Chris and Ramsey Buehler and Erich Buehler; his great grandchildren, Kirin and Heidi Behnken, Luke and Lilah Russell, Julian Russell and Colter Sullivan.

A graveside funeral, with full military honors, will take place in Arlington National Cemetery on February 15, 2024 at 1pm.