Hilary Donald "Butch" Russell, 74 of Forkland, AL went to his eternal home on February 12, 2021. He was born on July 27, 1946 in Carrollton, AL to Hilary Stafford Russell and Mannie Bryan Russell. He was a long time educator who served as a teacher, coach and principal and represented the Third District Athletic Association on the Central Board of Control of the AHSAA for a number or years. He was a long time member of the Demopolis Rotary Club and a Paul Harris Fellow. He would like to be remembered as an educator that liked children and wanted them to succeed.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers Richard Bryan Russell, Carl Russell and Sadie Harlan. He is survived by his wife, Betty Hamlin Russell; his son Bryan Hamlin Russell; and his sisters Mary Evelyn Drain, Hilda Faye Russell, and Barbara Ann Hatcher. He is also survived by 2 grandchildren: Lorelei and Liam.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 11:00 am at the First Baptist Church in Demopolis followed by a graveside service at 2:00 pm at the Oak Grove Franconia Cemetery in Aliceville, AL with Rev. Carl Williams officiating and Kirk Funeral Homes, Demopolis Chapel directing. Pallbearers will be: Pete Pappenhorst, Jimmy Stanford, Scott Freeman, Scott Biggs, Joe Bedsole, and David Stephens. Honorary Pallbearers are: Andrews Sunday School class at the First Baptist Church, Thursday Morning Prayer Breakfast members, Buttmasters BBQ Team, Selma Aunts and Uncles, coach Cody Keene, and all the past and present faculty and staff at Demopolis High School.

In lieu of flowers a memorial may be made to the Demopolis School Foundation or the First Baptist Church of Demopolis.