Vernon Lee Roy Russell, 96, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Monday morning, December 30, 2019 at the Kansas Veterans Home just days after visiting with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren over the Christmas holidays.

Born July 29, 1923 in Winslow, Arkansas, he was the third of ten children born to Kizzie (Sumner) and Roy Russell. He lived most of his 96 years in the Winfield and Atlanta, Kansas area. Lee Roy proudly served his country in the United States Army during WWII in Company A 149th Engineer Combat Brigade. He landed on Omaha Beach in Normandy, France on June 6, 1944 with the first wave.

Lee Roy was united in marriage to Glenice Audine Henderson on December 21, 1945 in Atlanta, Kansas. The couple made their home in Winfield where Lee Roy worked in the oil fields. He later worked as a mechanic at Binney & Smith. Glenice preceded him in death on February 18, 1983.

Lee Roy married Nellie P. Scott on January 7, 1984 at the First Christian Church in Winfield. The couple enjoyed traveling the states and visiting with family and friends. Nellie preceded him in death on November 14, 2009.

He was a member of the First Christian Church in Winfield where he served as a Deacon. He was a devoted fan of the Winfield Viking family for over 65 years, attending a multitude of school programs, games, and events. He enjoyed tinkering with various projects during retirement, making usable items out of auction trash and treasures.

His family includes his children, Dale Russell and wife, Kay of Winfield; Sheryl Pilkington and husband, Charles of Winfield; Joyce Van Arsdale and husband, Bob of Albuquerque, NM; Diane Ward and husband, Russ of Warrensburg, MO; Keith Crum and wife, Debby of Mansfield, GA; Galen Crum and wife, Sarah of Smolan; his Godson, Roger Nickell of Houston, TX; his brothers, Jay D. Russell of Phoenix, AZ; Harold Russell Nickell of Magnolia, TX; his 25 grandchildren; and 33 great grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wives, Lee Roy was preceded in death by a brother, Donald, six sisters, Arzona, Adel, Marjorie, Pauline, Wanda, and Maxine, a daughter Karen Proctor, and two great grandchildren, Nathaniel and Alissa Russell.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Saturday January 4, 2020 at Miles Funeral Service in Winfield. Interment and Military Committal Honors will follow at Highland Cemetery. A visitation is scheduled at the funeral home on Friday from 4 P.M. to 8 P.M. The family will greet visitors from 4 to 6 that evening.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kansas Honor Flights. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.