Russell Wayne Wrachford

Russell Wayne Wrachford77 of Morgantown, WV, son of Deloris Jean Wolfe Wrachford and Richard Glenn Wrachford was born May 4, 1948, and peacefully passed at home on November 24, 2025.

He was a graduate of Morgantown High School where he met his sweetheart, Joann.

Russell proudly served his country in the United States Air Force - signal intelligence communications holding a Top-Secret Crypto Clearance.

He held a passion for classic cars; one of his first being a Ford Fairlane (429 police interceptor), his grandpap's 1926 Ford Model T, and a 1976 Cadillac Coupe DeVille.

After his military service, he returned home to his growing family. He sought employment with C&P telephone, continuing service via Ma Bell, Bell Atlantic, Verizon and Frontier. Russ began as a lineman, eventually serving the main frame computer systems. He held a strong understanding of the entire system from horsehair lacquered telephone wire to fiber optic and digital systems and beyond. Upon retirement he continued service as docent for the telephone museum and supported the Telephone Pioneers. He especially enjoyed working with young people, helping them understand the telecommunications world.

He and Joann enjoyed hot air balloon adventures assisting with balloon chasing, especially for Fox Fire Resort.

Russ is survived by his wife Joann Sawyer Wrachford the love of his life, their three Children, Nina Conrad (Randall), Michael Wrachford, Scott Wrachford (Amanda) and the other loves of his life, his grandchildren, Cody Conrad (Brittney), Cory Daft (Brittany) Nikko Wrachford (Lawrence) and Brener Wrachford; great grandchildren Ryleigh and Emory Conrad, Aubrey and Amira Daft.

He is also survived by siblings Richard Wrachford (Barbara), Linda Patterson, Laura Osborne (Steve), Robert Wrachford (Denise) and sister-in-law Patricia Chuciak (John) and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, father and brother Edwin Wrachford.

He was predeceased by his mother-in-law Arthilla Grace Sawyer, father-in-law Willard Lewis Sawyer, sister-in-law Arthilla Rae Sawyer, and brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Dena Sawyer, and brother-in-law, Robert Patterson.

Memorial contributions may be made to WVU Medicine Golisano Children's Oncology C/O WVU Foundation, One Waterfront Place, 7th Floor P.O. Box 1650 Morgantown, WV 26507-1650 or wvuf.org

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.