Funeral Services for Willis “Bill” Russell, Age 86 of Hardy, Arkansas will be held on Thursday, May 28th, 2026 at The Tri-County Funeral Home, Highland, Arkansas, beginning at 2:00 PM. Visitation Will precede the service, beginning at 1:00 PM. Burial will be in The Hursperger Cemetery, Cherokee Village, Arkansas.
Willis “Bill” Eugene Russell, 86, of Hardy, Arkansas passed away May 19, 2026 at White River Medical Center in Batesville, Arkansas. He was born October 15, 1939 in Trumann, Arkansas to Noel Leon “Dude” and Beulah Dorothy Jones Russell. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and four siblings: a sister, Dorothy Badgero, and three brothers: Bob, Jerry, and Buddy Russell.
Survivors include his wife, Maxine Melton Russell; sons, Bryan Russell (Tricia) of Mtn. Home, Arkansas and Allan Baldridge of Batesville; a daughter, Jamie Bratcher (Stacy) of Hardy; four grandchildren: Nikki, Taylor, Kurt, and Ashlynn; seven great-grandchildren: Isla, Miles, Graycen, Khloe, Kamden, Nathan, and Lucas; numerous other relatives and great friends.
Bill was a Christian of the Baptist faith, an avid fisherman, and hunter. He loved the Arkansas Razorbacks and watching basketball, especially when “his kids” were playing. He was a loyal fan of the Highland Rebels after graduating as a Hardy Bulldog in 1958. Bill rarely missed a Hardy School Reunion where he could visit with friends of all ages. His life’s work was as a barber for 67 years in the Hardy Barber Shop, which he co-owned with Darrel Taylor for 57 of those years; they worked together with never an argument. Bill positively influenced thousands.
