Wilbur Joseph Russ' Obituary
Born March 9, 1926 in Jersey City, New Jersey; Bill died in his sleep at home in Oakland on January 30, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Gaile Bronson Russ, his older brother, Clement Russ, and was preceded in death by his brother, Walter Russ. Bill joined the Army Air Corps in 1943, he piloted a B-52 on numerous missions in the South Pacific, rising to the rank of Captain. After WWII, he enrolled at UCBerkeley, where he met Gaile, whom he courted throughout his college and law school years. They were married on January 17, 1959. After he graduated from Boalt Hall, Bill practiced law in San Francisco until retiring in 2005. Gaile was a long time reporter and editor at the Oakland Tribune. Both Gaile and Bill were life-long animal lovers and supporters of animal causes. At his request, there will be no services and those who would wish to memorialize him, are invited to donate to the charity of their choice.
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