Dr. Raymond Russell was born on October 14, 1924 in Ilion the son of the late Homer and Marie (Wagner) Russell. Dr. Russell graduated from Ilion in 1942. He practiced dentistry, in Ilion, for over 52 years. He was the son of a dentist, Dr. Homer Russell who graduated from Ilion with the Class of 1911. Raymond graduated from Union College and from Columbia University with a Doctorate in Dentistry. He began his dental practice with his father, in Ilion, in 1947. He served with the Air Force during the Korean War and was discharged as a captain.

Dr. Raymond Russell married Willma (Billy) Simmons in 1947. They raised their family, daughters Sharon, Pamela and sons Michael, Stephen and Chip, in their home on 28 John Street. He loved spending his summers at his family camp, Ledgewood on Piseco Lake, which he built in 1965. Ray was a member of The Church of Annunciation in Ilion and served on the Ilion Planning Commission. He was an active member of the NYS Dental Society. He spent many years as a member of the Ilion Little Theater. Dr. Russell passed away on Monday April 25, 2011 at the age of 86. - Obituary