William ‘Prentiss’ Russell, 81, of Salem, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at his home.
He was born September 14, 1942, in Brookhaven, Mississippi, the son of Henry Hobb Russell and Eunice (Beason) Russell. Prentiss married Wanda Ward in July of 1962 and she survives.
In addition to his wife of 61 years, Wanda Russell of Salem, he is also survived by his children: Pamela Beam of Mt. Vernon, Steve Russell (Jeff) of Pensacola, Florida, and Laura Campbell (Tommy) of Centralia; seven grandchildren: Jessica Steele (Chad) of Salem, Chelsie Green (Daniel) of Salem, Chris Maciejowski (Alicia) of Salem, Matt Maciejowski of Mt. Vernon, Doug Dearing of Mt. Vernon, Nick Wickman (Courtney) of St. Louis, Missouri, and Josh Russell (Cat) of Salem; several great-grandchildren; sister: Carolyn Justis of Brookhaven, Mississippi; several sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces and nephews.Prentiss was preceded in death by his parents: Henry Hobb and Eunice Russell, seven brothers: TL, Joe, Vernon, Jerald, Jerry, Junior, and Wayne, and three sisters: Geneva, Ednamae, and Evanell.
Prentiss grew up in Brookhaven, Mississippi until 1958, lived in Chicago from 1958-1972, and spent the remainder of his life here in Salem. He was a Truck Driver for several years until his retirement in the 1990s.Prentiss was known around Salem as the ‘Produce Man’. He always enjoyed tending to his large garden at home and selling his produce to the community. He had a stand at the Farmers Market in Salem until 2012 and later on had his own stand by Casey’s here in Salem.Prentiss had a big passion for music. He played the acoustic guitar and also the keyboard.
Family played a big role in Prentiss’s life. He loved his family and the time he spent making memories and sharing old stories to his grandchildren about his younger years. He was a very devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle.
A Visitation will be held Sunday, November 5, 2023, from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM at the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home in Salem. A Celebration of Life Service will follow at 2:00 PM at the Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Rankin Funeral Home 310 North Broadway/ P.O. Box 97 Salem, Illinois 62881, (618)548-1234, who is honored to be of service to Prentiss’s Family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the Sutherland Funeral Homes Facebook Page.
