Russell Martin “Russ” Wall
June 27, 1943 – January 6, 2026
Russell Martin “Russ” Wall, of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully January 6, 2026, after a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Russ was born on June 27, 1943, in St. Louis, MO, to Hubert and Florence Wall. He attended Southwest High School, where he was a standout member of the school band and discovered a lifelong love of music, playing the trumpet with exceptional talent.
That musical ability led him to the United States Air Force Band, where he proudly served his country entertaining military members and civilians alike and throughout the years was known affectionately by many as “Wallruss.” During an assignment in England, Russ met a beautiful English girl, June Dawson. They married soon thereafter and shared 61 years of marriage, building a life defined by love, partnership and devotion to family.
After returning to the United States, Russ and June began raising their family. Their first daughter, Tina, was born during a stateside assignment in Alabama. Several years later, while stationed once again in England, they welcomed their second daughter, Sarah.
Russ later transitioned from music to aviation, becoming a highly respected air traffic controller in the United States Air Force. Known for his calm presence, professionalism, and sharp focus, he was honored with one of the Air Force’s highest distinctions as Air Traffic Controller of the Year.
His Air Force career took the family to many locations, including Alabama, Mississippi, England, California, and Canada, along with a one-year remote assignment for Russ in Alaska. Some of the family’s most cherished memories were made during the many coast-to-coast road trips between assignments. With a packed cooler in the car, long days on the highway, and nights spent in roadside motels, those journeys became adventures full of laughter, landmarks and time together that the family would always treasure.
Russ’ last Air Force assignment was in his hometown of St. Louis at Scott Air Force Base, where he retired after 20 years of honorable service and continued his civilian career at the Defense Mapping Agency.
Russ was known as the life of the party — quick-witted, endlessly humorous, and happiest when surrounded by people. He had a love of the game of golf and an easy ability to make others laugh. His warmth, humor and presence left a lasting impression on all who knew him.
Russ is survived by his beloved wife, June Wall; daughters Tina Hrevus (Mike) and Sarah Roberts; grandchildren Alex Moss (Jamie), Elizabeth Bartochowski (Zach), Evan Hrevus, and Haley McLaughlin (Pat); and his cherished great-grandson, Calvin Bartochowski. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister Jan and is also survived by siblings Nancy, Tracy, and Terry.
A service with full military honors will be held on Thursday, January 15. The funeral procession will begin at noon at Kutis Funeral Home, 5255 Lemay Ferry Rd., with the service at 12:30 p.m. at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, MO 63125.
Following the service, family and friends are invited to a lunch and celebration of Russ’s life.
In lieu of flowers, gifts can be made to support the Walk to End Alzheimer’s through “Team Wall-kers” benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association at http://act.alz.org/goto/thewall-kers or by scanning this QR Code:
Other memorials may be donated to the American Diabetes Association.
Russ Wall lived a life defined by service, devotion to his family, and a gift for bringing joy to others. His legacy lives on through the family he loved, the memories he helped create, and the many lives he touched.
June – So sorry to hear the news about our dear friend, Russell. He warmed our hearts with his ready smiles and welcoming personality. I always felt special when I arrived at The Arbors and saw Russ. His neighbor Cindy reflected the smiles and warmth of Russell’s presence. I also loved visiting with you, June, and learning about yours and Russell‘s backgrounds. Peace and love to you and your family and the memories we have of Russell.
I wish we had known him Sarah – we would have loved him – as we love you
Bob and Jennifer
Sarah — Although I never had the privilege of meeting your Dad, his influence is clearly reflected in the thoughtful and kind person you are. Please know you’re in my thoughts. May a lifetime of memories comfort you and your family in the days ahead.
I’ve known Russ for 63 years, which began in the 3rd AF Band in London England.
Naturally, the AF took us to different locations throughout our careers and there were times, due to life changes, when several years passed not seeing or hearing from each other. Like his obituary says, Love, Humor and family was what mattered.
My heartfelt condolences to the family. May he now Rest in Peace.
Russel was more than a patient to me—he was someone I grew to truly love. Even as dementia slowly took pieces of his memory, his warmth, humor, and humanity always remained. In the quiet moments and the difficult ones, he taught me patience, compassion, and the importance of simply being present. It was an honor to care for him, to share stories, smiles, and moments of connection that went beyond words. Russel will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will carry the lessons he gave me for the rest of my life.
My deepest condolences and sympathy for your loss – holding you all in my heart and thoughts.
I haven’t been in the Thursdays Senior Golf League since the 2023 season, owing to the eventual toll that the second time I was wounded in Vietnam (actually, Cambodia) on 3 Nov 71 has taken on me. But, until then, I greatly enjoyed golfing with…and, more importantly, getting to know…Russ as we played often in the same foursome in the 19 years since I joined the League in 2004. I was especially appreciative of the congeniality that we always shared during the rounds (no matter how badly either of us was playing on a given day lol), and it was just a wonderful feeling to ALSO know that we were “comrades in arms” (even if he wasn’t Army). And, finally…but, certainly NOT least…was the QUALITY of the man I came to know and enjoy over the course of those many golf rounds–a moral, gentle, stand-up man who I was grateful to be able to call a genuinely-decent man and a beloved golf buddy. My sincerest condolences for your deep loss, and I look forward to reuniting with Russ on Heaven’s first tee one day.
Our deepest condolences for you and your entire family, Tina. What an amazing and prosperous life your father lived. So many lives touched by him! He continues to live and touch others’ lives through you all, his legacy. My family and I are here with you as you celebrate the fullness of his life. God bless.
To the Wall family..
Bobby and I are very sorry for your loss of Russ. Being nieghbors for several years in the Village of Jefferson we dearly have good memories of Russ. He always had a smile on his face! Prayers and thoughts to June, Tina,
Sarah and families
“Russ Wall” defined what it was to be a gentleman; always kind to fellow workers, always encouraging perfection where possible, always ready to help others with their burdens. The world has lost a truly good man. Rest well my friend in knowing you and June have created a lasting legacy in your children. Your time on earth was well-spent, and we who knew you will never forget you or the part you played in our lives.
Tina, June, Sarah and the family – we are holding you in our hearts. I know you will miss him so. Peace and Strength to you all.
Losing the company of a loved one is never easy, but the legacy he left includes his beautiful family. Sarah, it sounds like your dad was a wonderful man and quite a patriot! I wish I had had the opportunity to talk to him. I bet he had some stories to tell. May he rest in God‘s arms for eternity.
Russell and I were good friends in the very early years at Lindenwood grade school and Southwest High. I remember his dedication to learning the trumpet and proficiency in playing the instrument. We both lived on Lansdowne Ave one block apart and he was always popular with the girls because he knew how to dance. Rest in peace my friend.
What an incredible story and profound legacy of service, sacrifice, courage, patriotism, and family. From our family to yours, we hope you find comfort in each other at this challenging time and get a chance to celebrate the life of an American hero who sounds like the heart and soul of a great family.
God bless.
Jamie and David Chubak and family
Tina, so sorry for the loss of your father. Reading the obit he lived a
full life. Condolences to you and the entire family.
We have lots of good memories with our dear friends Russ & June. Russ and Dave served together in the 604th Air Force Band at Maxwell AFB, Alabama in the 1960’s. In 2009 a small group of those former band members and wives met at Pipestem State Park in West Virginia for our first reunion. What a time we had. True to form, Russ was the life of the party. Rest in peace.