Officer Russell Mark Willingham, Jr.

Officer Russell Mark Willingham, Jr., passed away Saturday July 30, 2011, responding to a call while on duty as a Winston-Salem police officer. Russell was born December 10, 1982 in Framingham, Massachusetts, to Russell and Karen Willingham, Sr. He was a graduate of Milford High School, received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Lowell. Russell also earned his Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Kaplan University, and was pursuing his Doctorate in Criminal Justice from Capella University. Russ was also currently an Adjunct Professor at Strayer University in Greensboro. Russ was a member of Alpha Phi Sigma, the National Criminal Justice Honor Society. Russ's work ethic set precedence in everything that he did. He was a devoted officer, friend, brother, son, and most of all, husband. His love of law enforcement was undeniable and he would do anything for his Brothers in Blue. He was a Master Mason at lodge 76 in Greensboro. His love of learning and education was paramount in his involvement with the Masonic Children's Home. Russ will be admirably remembered for his smile, his infectious laugh, and the honor and respect that he bestowed on everyone that he met. Russ loved and lived life to the fullest and this was personified in the love that he shared with his wife Courtney. Surviving Russ, are his wife, Courtney Gordon Willingham, of Winston-Salem; his parents Russell and Karen Willingham, Sr. of Greensboro; brothers, Kyle and Joshua Willingham and sister Caroline Willingham, all of Greensboro; father and mother-in-law, Russell and Julia Gordon of Greensboro; sister-in-law, Korie Gordon Lovette (Darren) of Greensboro; nephew, Brock Lovette, and niece, Katherine Lovette, of Greensboro. Russ is also survived by his maternal grandparents, Ralph and Eleanor Porzio of Milford, MA and paternal grandmother, Maude Willingham of Jacksonville, FL. He was also survived by a host of cousins, friends, and the Brethren in Law Enforcement. He will be sorely missed by all whose lives that he touched. Visitation will be held Wednesday evening, August 3, at Wait Chapel at Wake Forest University beginning at 4:00 pm and family will be present from 6-8pm. Funeral services will be held Thursday, August 4, at 10:00 am at Wait Chapel. Interment will follow at Westminster Gardens in Greensboro. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Police Benevolence Society, The Masonic Children's Home of Oxford, NC, or The Russell Willingham Scholarship Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.

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