Russell A. Williams, 89, of Sparta died Tuesday, January 15, 2008 at Franciscan Skemp Healthcare, Sparta. He was born on October 1, 1918 in the Town of Forest, Richland County, Wisconsin to William and Freda (Ambrose) Williams. He grew up in the Town of Forest and graduated from Viola High School in 1936. Russell attended one year at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

     Russell married the former Alice Shubert on June 29, 1937. They had been high school sweethearts. After marriage they farmed in Vernon County until 1961 when they moved to Sparta. Russell worked as an assessor for the State of Wisconsin with jobs in Sparta, EauClaire, and Madison. He retired in 1983. They moved back to Sparta in 1986 and moved to the Parkview Apartments on July 2, 2001.

      Russell and Alice lived in a number of locations during their marriage. They also loved to travel. They contributed much to improving their church home and were active in the mission work of their church. He spent his retirement years putting together his family genealogy and published the family history in 2007. Russell wrote for the Sparta Paper and for the Morrow Memorial Home Messenger. He enjoyed gardening, fishing, and was a member of the Sparta Kiwanis Club, and the Sparta United Methodist Church.

     To them were born three daughters to be followed by two sons. He is survived by his children, Sharon Hubbard of Evansville, WI, Marleen (Jim) Wickler of Waukesha, WI, Laura Williams of Eau Claire, WI, Wendell (Susan) Williams of Loyal, WI, William (Tracy) Williams of Tuscon, AZ.; also with them is Laura’s former husband, good friend John “Jack” Hart; 13 grandchildren, Steven (Julie) Hubbard, Lynn (Randy) Heimann, James (Debra) Hubbard, Michael Wickler, Mark (Deborah) Wickler, Jayne (Gregory) Langer, Alison Wilson, Andy (Susan) Hart, Sarah (Jim) Bills, Alicia (Jim) Paul, Joyce Williams, George Williams, Edward Williams; sixteen great grandchildren, David (Angie) Hubbard, Daniel (Erin) Hubbard, Jason (Nova) Marin, Benjamin Heimann, Alexander Wickler, Joshua Wickler, Felipe Wickler, Emma Langer, Rebecca Langer, Matthew Langer, Gwendolyn Hart, Madelyn Hart, John Hart, Landon Wilson, James Wilson, Jeremiah Bills; three step great grandchildren, Aleah and Stacy Adams, Corina Altmann; eight great great grandchildren, Alex, Mason, Ethan, Wyatt, Megan, Brandon, Kate, and Savannah; a brother, Vernon (Barbara) Williams of Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

     He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Alice on May 3, 2002; two brothers, Justin,  Ernest; a grandson, William Samuel Williams, and a great grandson, Andrew Russell Heimann.

     Funeral services will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta with Reverend David Carlson officiating. Burial will be at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Viola Cemetery, Viola.

     Friends may call at the Lanham-Miller Funeral Home on Friday from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and at the funeral home on Saturday from 10 a.m. until the time of services.

     In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to the Sparta United Methodist Church.

     The Lanham-Miller Funeral Home, Sparta is assisting the family with funeral arrangements.