H.W. “Wendell” Holmes, 82, of Russell died on Monday, July 28, 2008 at the Hays Medical Center.  Wendell was born on March 26, 1926 in Holliday, Texas the son of Leonard and Minnie Mae (White) Holmes. 

Wendell grew up in the Kamay, Texas which is a little town outside of Holliday and attended local schools. 

At 16, he started working at Halliburton, in 1944 he was drafted and joined the Army and served his country during World War II in the Pacific.  After the war he went back to work at Halliburton working mainly in west Texas.  He worked his way up from laborer to sales superintendent, working for them for 47 years until his retirement in 1990.

In 1980 he met and fell in love with Judith Joan Kilian, they were united in marriage on August 29, 1980 in Spearman, Texas.  In 1990, they moved to Russell from Perryton, TX.

He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church of Russell.  He also belonged to the Russell Elks Lodge, Russell V.F.W. Post #6240, and the Isis Consistory and Iris Shrine in Salina.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, reading, KU/KSU sports, baseball and watching his children and grandchildren play sports.

Surviving family include his wife Judy of the home; three sons, Gary of Austin, TX., Randy of Odessa, TX. and Kory and wife Holly of Houston, TX.; three step children, Martin Griese and wife Deborah and Laurie Long and husband Robert all of Houston, TX. and Monica Stage and husband Michael of Sarasota, FL.; two brothers, Jerry Holmes and wife Maurine of Ft. Worth, TX. and Doug Holmes and wife Sharon of Wichita Falls, TX.; two sisters, Linda Rairdon of Wichita Falls, TX and Clemmie Hackworth and husband Hack of Ft. Worth, TX.; five grandchildren, five step grandchildren and one great grandchild.  Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Lloyd, Norman and Tom and sister, Merle.

Celebration of Wendell’s Life will be held at 10:30 AM Friday, August 1, 2008 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church of Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Burial will follow at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Russell with the V.F.W. Post #6240 performing military rites.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Thursday, July 31 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell.  The family will be present to greet friends from 7 P.M. to 8 P.M.  A memorial has been established with the St. John’s Lutheran Church.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care of the Mortuary to 610 N. Maple * Russell, KS  67665. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary is in charge of these arrangements.  Condolences may also be sent via email at www.pvpmortuary.com.