William Russell Warren

William Russell Warren, 78, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away Thursday, July 15, 2021, at Rock Creek of Ottawa. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Tuesday, July 20, 2021, at Dengel & Son Mortuary, Ottawa. Family will meet with friends from 5:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M., Monday, July 19, 2021, at the mortuary. Interment Pleasant Hill Cemetery, west of Centropolis, with military honors by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Russell was born March 2, 1943, in La Plata, Missouri, the son of Cecil and Opal (Pope) Warren. He was raised in La Plata, Missouri, moving in 1975 to Kansas. He graduated from La Plata, Missouri High School with the class of 1961. Russell served in the United States Army from January 1962 to January 1965 attaining the rank of Private E-1. Commendations and citations include the Army of Occupation Medal (Berlin), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (Berlin) and Marksman (Rifle M-14). On August 29, 1975, Russell was united in marriage to Shirley Jones in Ottawa. She survives of the home. Russell was employed with BNSF Railroad in the Bridge and Building Department for 34 years, retiring in 2003. He was a member of two bands, Shades of Blue and Sidekicks, as a vocalist and guitarist. He enjoyed listening to the music they played and the friendships he made with the other band members, as well as reading and watching westerns on TV. He was preceded in death by his mother and stepdad, Opal and Leo Parker; father and stepmom, Cecil and Fran Warren; and brother Eugene Bunch. Survivors include three children, Rhonda McMechan of Ottawa, Ronald McMechan and wife Arlene of Princeton, and Robin Wilson also of Princeton; brother Richard Parker and wife Karen of Tucson, Arizona; four grandchildren, Craig McMechan of Ottawa, Richard Wilson and wife Chelsea of Richmond, Aaron Wilson of Princeton, and Troy Wilson and wife Fallon of Ottawa; nine great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorial contributions to Harbor Hospice c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067.