William Russell Smith
1942 ~ 2024
Captain William Russell Smith, age 81, of Osceola, Missouri passed away on May 18, 2024 at Truman Manor Nursing Home. Known to his friends as Russ, he was born in Los Angeles, CA on October 23, 1942 to Ethel and Bunyon Smith.
Russ was an energetic and industrious child starting his working career at the age of nine. Each morning at 0400, he and his beloved dog Princess would get up, roll and deliver newspapers on his bike and then go on to school. He did this through his early teens. Russ had other jobs that contributed to his character and work ethics; selling papers at the Rose Bowl, working at a hula hoop manufacture, pumping gas, and raising rabbits that he sold to the local market.
After graduating from Temple City High School, Russ enlisted for four years in the US Air Force. His military specialty was as a Security Specialist. This duty took him to stations in Alaska, Spain, and Kansas. While in the Air Force Russ discovered general aviation through the military aeroclubs. In time he acquired a FAA Commercial license with a Certified Flight Instructor rating. He thereafter built flight time working as a CFI.
Russ was hired by Northwest Airlines on September 23, 1968. His career at NWA lasted for 34 years. Russ loved to fascinate friends with tales of his flying adventures and corny jokes. After retirement, he found his second love flying….racing pigeons. He bred, trained and raced until 2021 when his health required him to slow down. He had as many as 95 pigeons at one time and was totally dedicated to raising them to be the best.
Russ also loved his farm animals, especially his mule Jacqueline. As a child he spent summers in Chickamauga, Georgia where his uncle had a mule that he would ride bareback around the farm. He loved that mule so much that he had to have one when he retired and named her Jacqueline.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister zona Mae Tena.
Russ leaves his wife and friend of 27 years Donna Gratzer-Smith; brother Ray Thompson; two daughters Michelle Smith and Kristi Lynne Smith and stepdaughter Angela Oyler; three grandchildren Giovanni LaPietra, Haley Smith and Maguire Moore.
His ashes will be taken to Chickamauga, Georgia where his greatest childhood memories were born.
(Smith Family and Bill Day)