William Russell Noel, Jr., of Mitchell, NE, passed away and entered the gates of heaven on January 31, 2024, in Wichita Falls, TX. He was in the loving care of (as he called us) his kids and grandchildren. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10am on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Federated Church in Mitchell, NE with Pastor Dale Brown officiating, with a welcoming reception from 9am-10am at the church. Private family inurnment will follow at the Mitchell City Cemetery. Friends who wish my leave online condolences by viewing Russ’s memorial page at www.bridgmanfuneralhome.com. Bridgman Family Funeral Home in Scottsbluff is entrusted with arrangements.
Russ was born July 6, 1937, to William and Phadona (Douglas) Noel in Denver, CO. His early education was in the Denver Public Schools until high school. After a family move to the new Northglenn, CO area he attended and graduated from Meritt Hutton High School, Thorton, CO. He attended the University of Denver Law School for one year and then the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, CO (Colorado State Teachers College) graduating with a Bachelor of Education degree in 1969.
While in Greeley he met Mary Lu Cherry. They married in 1970 and resided in the Scottsbluff Valley area where Mary Lu taught elementary school and were involved in various business ventures in the area. Mary Lu passed away in 2001.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 31 years; his mother and father, sister Susan and numerous beloved aunts and uncles; nephew Christipher (Tofer) Brunick; maternal grandmother Maude Douglas; maternal great grandmother Alice Fair and special extended family members and long-time business partners Mary and Jerry Misner.
Russ is survived by two nieces and a nephew and their families; numerous great nieces and nephews; cousins and special extended family members Steve and Rhonda Misner of Wichita Falls, TX and their family and Brian and Rose Mary Misner of Arlington, TX and their family.