Russell Souders

Russell Lewis Souders, Sr., 77, of Abilene, Texas, entered his Heavenly home on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.

The visitation will be from 4:00-6:00 P.M. on Friday, September 6, 2024, at Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. at Beltway Park South Church Chapel, with Pastor Than Brown officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Memorial Park. Services are under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home at 6449 Buffalo Gap Road.

Russell Lewis Souders, Sr., was born in Abilene, Texas, to Fred Russell and Mary Lou Neece Souders on December 1, 1946. He attended school in Abilene and graduated from Cooper High School. After high school, he graduated from Draughn's Business College with an Associates Accounting Degree. Russell married Donna Gayle Kirkley Souders on August 22,1969, in Honolulu, Hawaii, during the Vietnam War. Upon returning from the war, Russell worked as an assistant manager and manager for Super Duper Food Stores and Eckerd Drug Store, as a sales representative for Keebler Cookie Company, and retired as an assistant manager from Big Lots. He was an Army veteran of the Vietnam War and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. Russell was an avid coin collector and member of the Abilene Key City Coin, Stamp, and Sports Card Club, where he served as president, vice president, and treasurer. He also loved the Lord and served as a greeter at Beltway Park South Church; Russell was a member of the Cosper Life Group and Senior Lunch Group there as well. He was a wonderful family man, and over the years, he was a strong supporter of his wife's teaching career and his children and grandchildren's extracurricular activities. In addition, Russell was a hard worker who loved spending time completing various projects around the house and yard. He was a friend to all and always looked forward to his monthly coin club and Thursday morning coffee meetings with his buddies.

Russell was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Mary Lou Souders, mother and father-in-law, Robert and Idell Kirkley, brother and sister-in-law, Clinton and Mary Ann Ward, sister and brother-in-law, Marty Lou and Jay Thomas Welch, and numerous cousins.

Russell is survived by his wife, Donna Kirkley Souders, son, Russell Souders, Jr., and wife Kristen Staton Souders, daughter, Robin Souders Pritchett and husband Steven Pritchett, grandchildren, Jayden Pritchett and wife Mackenzie Nations Pritchett, Kyler Pritchett, Kirkley Souders, and Kassidy Souders, and great-granddaughter, Ramona Pritchett, as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his pets, Brody, Bella, Enzo, and Smokey.

Pallbearers will be Jayden Pritchett, Kyler Pritchett, Duwaine Ward, Charlie Ward, Chance Galvan, and Tim Farrar.

Honorary pallbearers include Kirkley Souders, Kassidy Souders, Ernest Proctor, James Delisle, David Wright, and Fred Jones.

Memorials may be sent to the American Heart Association, St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Wounded Warriors Project, and Rescue the Animals.

The family of Russell wishes to extend our sincerest thanks and appreciation to all the doctors, nurses, and support staff at Hendrick Medical Center, Hendrick Hospice, the Cosper Life Group, and the many others who have shown their love and support during this time.