Billy Joe Russ

Billy Joe Russ was born March 16, 1933 in Antlers, OK, to Felix & Jewel Russ. He grew up in the hills of southeastern Oklahoma with his seven siblings.

When he was fourteen he went to California on a motorcycle to work with his brother, Herb; while he was there he was drafted into the Army serving in the Korean War from March

1953 to March 1955 and received the National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean Service Medal.

Bill was baptized into the Church of the First Born at Rocky in 1957 and on April 5, 1958 he married Helen Diffendaffer. The couple throughout the years had 5 sons and 1 daughter and the many adventures began.

Bill started out breaking and training horses and also raised cotton and cattle on Oak Creek, East of Rocky. He was an excellent horseman and trainer; he achieved the ultimate goal and trained state, national and world champions. In addition he won many trophies and plaques in reining, western pleasure and halter.

Bill also fitted horses for registered horse sales where he sold them for top prices. He earned a living handling horses for the next 30 years. He then bought a ranch near Soper, OK where he raised cattle and worked horses for the next several years.

Although he raised cattle, horses were his first love after his family.

He loved to trail ride and spent much time on the trail both in Oklahoma & Colorado taking his family along, always pointing out the beauty of God’s handiwork in the mountains and lakes.

He never lost his love for horses, but as he got older he became unable to ride much because he had worn his knees out. Being the determined cowboy that he was he just switched to from riding horses to riding mules because they were easier to ride.

Bill is survived by: Helen Russ, Hobart, OK

Sons: Dewey Russ, Rocky, OK; Todd Russ and wife Khristy, Cordell, OK; Ken Russ and wife, Amber, Ardmore, OK

Daughter: Christa Sherle and husband Pat Sherle, Hobart, OK, 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

Sister-in-law: Bernice Russ. Sisters: Cora Little, Minnie Simmons and her husband Bill Simmons

Brother: Gary Russ. Loved by many friends and relatives.

He was preceded in death by his: two sons, Blain Russ and Glen Russ; his parents, 3 sisters Janie Wilson, Charlene Russ, and Pearl Franklin; one brother, Herb Russ

Funeral: 10:00 a.m., Friday, July 1, 2022. Church of the First Born, Rocky, Oklahoma.

Interment: Lone Star Cemetery, Rocky, Oklahoma.

Visitation: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Thursday, June 30, 2022, Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Cordell, Oklahoma.

Under the direction of Ray & Martha’s Funeral Home, Cordell, OK.