Russell Morris

Russell Morris (husband of Bonnie) of Mellette, SD passed away at the age of 68 on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.

Funeral service will be at 10:30am on Friday, December 12, 2025 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown, SD.

Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00pm on Thursday, December 11, 2025 at the Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.

Interment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery

Russell Elmer Morris passed away at the age of 68 on December 3, 2025 at his home in Mellette, SD.

Russell was born on August 23, 1957 in Redfield, SD to Roy and Patricia (Alden) Morris. He grew up on a farm near Mellette where he attended Northwestern School. He also attended Lake Area Vocational Technical School where he studied and graduated from the Auto Mechanics program.

On February 21, 1976, Russell married Bonnie Miller at the Grace Lutheran Church in Watertown. The couple made their home in Brentford, SD and Mellette for almost 50 years.

Russell worked for various farmers in the area. He especially had a passion for truck driving and operating construction equipment. Russell loved airplanes, which drove him to obtain his pilots license. The couple purchased an aerial spraying business near Mellette and Russell started crop spraying.

In June of 1997, Russell's plane crashed near Cresbard, SD. The crash resulted in burning over 85% of his body and he was given a 1 % chance of survival. It was a miracle that after rehabilitation and healing, he survived. He was not done flying and ended up acquiring his instrument pilot license, working for FedEx flying freight planes. Eventually, health issues forced him to leave his flying job. Although he was done operating planes, he then traveled to many parts of the U.S. transporting trucks and occasionally some airplanes.

Russell enjoyed nature and feeding birds. He had a talent for scrolling and welding wrought iron. He held an interest in horses, buggies, old west history, family history and motorcycles. He also treasured antiques, especially oil lamps. Russell loved to fix and repair things – there wasn't much that he couldn't fix. He was always available to lend a helping hand to his friends and family.

Left to cherish Russell's life are his wife, Bonnie of Mellette, SD; his son, Shannon (Brenda) of Deadwood, SD; two grandchildren, Brandy (Patrick) Merrill of Rapid City, SD and David of Rapid City, SD; one step-granddaughter, Josie Olson of Spearfish, SD; three great-grandchildren; his mother, Patricia (Arne) Arneson of Tulare, SD; brothers, Steven (Shari) Morris of Eagle Butte, SD, Joe (Christie) Albrecht of Columbia, SD, Randy of Ferney, SD; one sister, Debbie (Mike) Visser of Redfield, SD; step-sister, Tina (Norris) Hamilton of Pine City, MN; half-brothers, Kenny (Sarah) Haessig of Aberdeen, SD, and Jeff (Judy) Haessig of Redfield, SD; sisters-in-law, Barbara Frerichs of Box Elder, SD and Linda (Ed) York of Watertown, SD; along with many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his father, Roy; step-father, Kenneth Haessig; in-laws, Ralph and Elsie Miller; and brother-in-law, Dale Miller.

Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family ~ www.wightandcomes.com