Russell James Walpole

Russell James Walpole was born December 5, 1924 in Centerville, Utah to Ernest William and Ivy Wesson Walpole. His father lost the farm he was buying when the great depression hit, and the family moved into his father's horse barn. While very young, Russell milked a neighbor's cows before and after school in order to buy his own clothes and a 1929 model A Ford coupe he named Spitfire.

He had four loves: his God, his family, his country and the beauties of nature. When Pearl Harbor was attacked, he as one of the greatest generation joined the navy after high school graduation, where he served as a radioman first class on board a ship in the Pacific for 32 months.

He married Lugean Wilcox August 14, 1946 in the Salt Lake temple. They raised a family of seven children on various farms in Woodland, Midway and Mapleton, eventually milking 200 cows and raising most of the feed. Their lives revolved around the church where Russell's many callings included the teenagers, whom he loved. When he became bishop, his favorite recreation was taking them boating. He was a great example to his children. He told them, "Don't do as I say, but do as I do". His kindness, understanding, and wisdom showed in his daily life. He was the one who saw that his family had fun. He'd say, "Let’s work extra fast this morning so that we can play extra hard this afternoon". His five sons loved working with him. They remember kneeling with him to pray over the crops. Even his daughters and wife got to drive the silage trucks.

He built three houses, and woodworking evolved into his making beautiful inlaid tables, which have become heirloom gifts for his posterity. Those 7 children have given him 41 grandchildren and 57 great grandchildren, with more on the way. Others call him dad and grandpa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Floyd, a sister, Dorothy and a grandson, Mark. His remaining sibling, John Marvin Walpole resides in Bountiful.

Viewings will be at the Wheeler Mortuary 82 West 400 North Mapleton, Utah Friday June 26th from 6-8 pm. and prior to the service Saturday June 27th from 9:30 to 10:45 am at the LDS Chapel 878 West Center Springville, Utah. Services will follow at 11. Interment will be at the Mapleton Cemetery 620 West Maple Street.