William Russell Thorson Russ

William Russell Thorson Russ passed away on August 20, 2013 in loving care of his family at Hospice House in Kennewick. Russ was born on January 25, 1917 to Thomas and Emma Thorson in Cashmere Washington. He grew up in Tonasket Washington on the family apple orchard along the Okanogan River. He learned farming, mechanics, and the joy of hunting and fishing from his Dad. His mother, a school teacher, taught him to value education and his faith in God. He loved mathematics, science and solving problems and was quite inventive. He learned to be very independent and how to survive in the Okanogan wilderness. He truly loved the outdoors, especially fishing and hunting. By age 16 he was an excellent marksman, winning the Tonasket turkey shoot multiple times. He enjoyed his violin and always loved classical music.

At WSC he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity and earned his Electrical Engineering degree in 1942. His children and grandchildren were also WSU alum! Go Cougs! He worked his way through college, working summers with his Dad in the orchard. The US Army sent him to graduate school at OSU and Stanford. He was subsequently deployed with the Army in the Signal Corp. to England then Europe via the Normandy invasion.

He was proud to be a WWII veteran – He served in Patton's 3rd Army, 6th Armored Division and earned 5 battle ribbons: Battles of Normandy, Northern France, the Ardennesthe Bulge, the Rhineland liberation of Buchenwald, and the Battle of Central Europe through Czechoslovakia and meeting the Russian army south of Berlin. He often spoke of Palm Sunday services 1945 - with the chaplain serving communion on the hood of a Jeep before crossing the Rhine River to invade Nazi Germany. He said that was when he had trusted in Jesus. He had lots of close calls, but was never hit. He landed in NYC "V-J" Day and was honorably discharged in October 1945.

He married Virginia Anne Barrett, from Port Angeles Washington whom he had met at WSC, on August 30th, 1945.

He worked hard, utilizing his professional expertise and wisdom to keep the Hanford Nuclear reactors safe. He began his career with General Electric, and received his original training with them at Schenectady NY. He was assigned to Hanford WA in 1947, where he worked until he retired in 1982. He was the Primary Power Engineer for the Hanford reactors. He was active in the Richland Rod and Gun Club and taught gun safety classes. In 1983, The Spokesman Review credited him with being one of the Grand Master Steelhead fly fishermen of the Columbia River. As a long time member of Southside Church, he loved worshipping with his extended Church family.

He is survived by his wife Virginia Thorson and his children, Mark Thorson Karen Thorson, Marcia Jensen Chris Jensen and Murray Thorson Susan Thorson. He taught his children the difference between right and wrong, the importance of education and the great value of hard work.

His grandchildren are: Lisa Piantanida Dan Piantanida, Kathy Kunkagam Touray Kungkagam, David Thorson; Nathan Jensen deceased, Daniel Jensen, Lt. USN, Kristi Jensen; Thomas Thorson, Michael Thorson Candi Thorson, Robbie Thorson, Lt. JG. USN. His Great Grandchildren are Tyler Piantanida, Kaitlyn Kungkagam, Claire and Landen Thorson.

Russ lived 96 years, was married to Virginia for 68 years, was an excellent engineer, loved to hunt and fish, suffered with blindness, loss of hearing and heart disease. In the end, he passed away from his loyal family, knowing his Savior Jesus Christ. We look forward to seeing him again in the presence of our Lord.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, August 25th at 2 pm at Southside Church, 517 Jadwin Ave, Richland.