An heroic former East Kilbride firefighter is to be given an honourable send off when a fire engine joins him on his final journey.Tributes are pouring in for William Russell Spence, known locally as Russell, who passed away suddenly, but peacefully in his sleep at his home in Calderwood on Thursday, January 19.
He was 78.In a fitting tribute, firefighters are to form a guard of honour as the funeral procession passes by East Kilbride Fire Station with a fire engine joining the family at South Lanarkshire Crematorium.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.
Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android The larger than life "character" was this week described by his family as a "proud and caring" father and grandfather to his four children Chris, Raymond, Mathew and Julie and six grandchildren Jade, Matthew, Jamie, Maisie, Holly and Jack, and a loving husband to his late wife Valerie who died in 2019.Russell's heartbroken son Chris, a serving firefighter who proudly followed in his dad's footsteps, told Lanarkshire Live: "The family are devastated to share the news of the passing of William Russell Spence."Russell was a loving husband to Val and a proud and caring father and grandfather to his four children and six grandchildren. "He will be hugely missed by his children who have fond memories of his big personality and sense of humour.
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