William Russell Burden Obituary

William Russell Burden (Russ), age 76, passed peacefully into the arms of Jesus on Thursday, July 25, 2024, surrounded by his loving wife, Ruthie, of 55 years, and his children Tandji, and Russ, Jr. Russ was born August 23, 1947 to Arthur Ray and Lucille Mercer Burden. His father passed away in a tragic wreck at age 34. When Russ was 5 he moved to Billings, MT with his mother, brother, and stepfather, John Walker. He loved Montana and spoke often of returning to live there one day. After the death of his stepfather, Russ, age 15, drove his mother and brother back to KY to be near his mother's family. It was in KY that he met the love of his life, the "girl down the street", Ruthie Bishop. Russ moved once more to Augusta, GA , where his sister lived, to pursue further education and work. He later returned to KY and married Ruthie and brought her down to GA. Russ was born with a natural talent for auto repair. He sat for, and passed, the ASE certification with little formal training. In 1991 he realized his dream of owning his own shop, "RUSS AUTOMOTIVE" in Martinez, Ga. His customers loved him and referred to him as "Mr. Composure". He never seemed to lose his temper, he just did what needed to be done. Russ was a fun person to be around. He had a smile that lit up the room, and a new joke to make everyone else smile. He loved to drive and was always taking his family off on new adventures. He also loved to cruise and go camping. Russ loved trains and had a huge model RR setup. He and Ruthie had been on a few train rides as well. He collected clocks and it was fun to tease him about changing the time for daylight savings. Russ was the ultimate handyman; he could build and remodel just about anything. He loved to ride his mower in the cool morning hours. After he lost his ability to walk due to a stroke, this was his favorite thing to do. Russ was of Christian faith and had rededicated his life at Abilene Baptist in 2018. He read his bible completely through twice and had started a third reading. Due to his inability to walk he could not access the normal baptistry. His desire to be baptized was fulfilled in March 2024 when his nephew, Michael Young, made it possible and baptized both Russ and Ruthie at Believer's Gospel Chapel. Russ was preceded in death by his father, Arthur Ray Burden, his mother, Lucille Mercer Burden Walker, his stepfather, John Walker, and his sister, Gerry Young, as well as two half-brothers and a half-sister. He is survived by his loving wife, Ruthie, one son William Russell (Russ) Burden, Jr., and one daughter, Tandji Rachelle Burden Simmons (Anthony). Also surviving are three precious grandchildren, Danielle Knupp (Hank), Hannah Simmons (Sebastian), and Matthew Burden (Reagan), as well as 2 adorable great grandbabies, Tate and Harper Knupp. Russ loved all his babies so much.

Russ is survived by one brother, Timothy Burden (Pamela), and a large family of nieces and nephews who meant the world to him. Russ will be loved and missed tremendously…until we meet again.

A going home service will be held at Fairhaven Funeral Home 3507 Wrightsboro Rd. Augusta, GA 30909 on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. Viewing at 1pm, service at 2pm. Dr. Brad Whitt officiating. Gifts of love may be sent to Abilene Baptist Church Augusta, GA.