Russell V. Williams

12/21/1913 - 08/02/2004

Russell V. Williams, 90, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Connellsville, died Monday, Aug. 2, 2004, at UPMC Presbyterian, Oakland. Mr. Williams was born in Brownsville, Dec. 21, 1913, a son of the late Russell T. and Ethel Dowler Williams. A World War II veteran, he served in the U.S. Army's 77th Infantry in the South Pacific. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart, American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with Bronze Arrowhead, Good Conduct Medal, Philippines Liberation Ribbon and the World War II Victory Medal. After the war, Russell joined the 911th Tactical Airlift Reserve Unit based in Pittsburgh. For 29 years he was active in various activities but his true love was recruiting. He obtained the rank of master sergeant. Russell was also proud of his 42 years spent with Columbia Gas in Uniontown. He was a member of VFW Post 21, Moose Lodge 16 and the American Legion in Scottdale. As a founding member of the Dunbar Township Sewage Authority, he served in various capacities for more than 20 years. He was an active member of First Christian Church of Connellsville, where he sang in the choir and participated in the annual Easter Cantata. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Nelson Williams. He will be sadly missed by his wife, Mary Katherine Williams; daughter, Darlah Zimmerman and husband, Gary; granddaughters, Tiffany Anderson-Heinauer and husband, Eric, and Christy Bell and husband, James; and great-grandsons, Ryan, Eric and Adam. Friends will be received Wednesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the FRANK R. ZIMMERMAN FUNERAL HOME INC., 627 Smithfield St., Mt. Pleasant. Services will be held in the funeral home Friday at 11 a.m. with Pastor Chris Stillman and Pastor Rick Fox co-officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Pleasant Cemetery with military rites accorded by VFW Post 21 and American Legion Post 301 of Connellsville.