Russell William Wilson

Born on March 12, 1967 to the late William, and Sarah (Leo) Wilson,

Russ graduated from Warren Area High School in 1985 and joined the Army with the 82nd Airborne Division. After four years of jumping out of planes, Russ was discharged and enrolled in the University of Pittsburgh for Education.

It was there that he met the love of his life, Leslie (Bittner) on a drunken night out at the Bloomfield Bridge Tavern. As they started their journey together, he went on to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh for his undergrad, and then from Duquesne University with his Master’s in Elementary Education.

He and Leslie were engaged in 1998, and moved to Denver, CO, only staying six months before life took them to Los Angeles, CA. Russ and Leslie married on October 29, 1999 with a masquerade ball. Six years later, they returned to Denver, settling in Littleton, CO.

They were blessed with their first son, Andrew “Gus” in 2006, and their second son Jacob in 2009. Russ was a dedicated father, guiding his boys through Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, encouraging their love of lacrosse, and fueling their passion for Formula 1.

Russ covered many different jobs through the years: Paratrooper, college custodian, hotel van driver, bike mechanic, teacher, UPS International logistics, audio technician, and finally settled into insurance sales, where his gift of gab served him well.

He was known as a friend to everyone, and a collector of people. Family, childhood friends, Army buddies, bicycle crews, punk rock people, Land Rover hooligans, political groups, Scouts, motor sports, parents, co-workers. No matter how people met him, he cherished them. Everyone knew it was nice to meet him, as he would say “Of course it is, I’m delightful.” He was a lifelong member of the NRA, Weston Masonic Lodge 22, El Jebel Shriners, and the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks Lodge 1650 in Littleton.

Russ was preceded in death by his grandparents, his father William, Uncle Richard, and Cousin Sierra.

He is survived by his wife, Leslie, his sons Gus and Jake, his mother Sarah, brother Michael, Mother-in-Law Mary Kowal, Father-in-Law Kenneth Bittner (Terri), Brother-in-Law Jason (Revere), nephew Coulson Bittner (Brooke), nieces Kolby Sabat (Christian), Braydn Wilson, Delaney Bittner, and Dannah Bittner, and Uncle Mark and Aunt Lynn Wilson. Additionally, his cousins Mark E. Wilson (Missy), BJ Thomas (Gerry), Tina Struzik (Dan), Mark A. Wilson (Cara), and their children: Grand-nephew Lionel, and Emma, Michaela, Regena, Jordan (John), his godchildren Carolyn and Liam, and the newest additions, Evie and River.

A Open House Celebration of Life will be held at the Elk’s Lodge 1650 at 5749 S. Curtice Street Littleton CO 80120 on Saturday October 26th.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Youth Activities Committee at the Elk’s, (Littleton Elk’s 1650, with Youth Activities in the memo line, or Venmo @Christine- Lukowicz), or to BSA Troop 361 (c/o Ascension Lutheran Church 1701 W. Caley Avenue, Littleton CO 80120).

“We live to dance another day, it’s just now we have to dance for one more of us.”