News

Wayne Russell (inset)
1942 - 2023
and the Rusway Construction Wagon with Roger Moore driving

The World Professional Chuckwagon Association is mourning the passing of longtime active supporter - Rusway Construction's Wayne Russell on Tuesday, October 24, 2023 from natural causes at the age of 81.

Always was a fan of chuckwagon racing, Wayne and his wife Barbara first got involved as a canvas sponsor on the Canadian Professional Chuckwagon Association for driver Tim Haroldson starting in 2003. They had a successful first season with Tim Haroldson capturing the Wainwright Stampede and his hometown Colonial Days Fair in Lloydminster.

In 2005 Rusway Construction captured two more shows with the Haroldson outfit, first at the Meadow Lake Stampede with Roger Moore filling in for injured driver Tim Haroldson, and then capturing the season ending CPCA Lloydminster Finals to make a clean sweep of his hometown Lloydminster shows. When Tim Haroldson left the CPCA circuit for the World Professional Chuckwagon Association's Pro Tour, Wayne and Rusway Construction in 2009, he picked up driver Roger Moore who posted additional wins on the CPCA circuit in 2010 at the Little Pine First Nation and at Turtleford. 2011 saw the Rusway Construction Outfit repeat as champions at the Little Pine First Nation, and for the second time they won the season ending CPCA Lloydminster Finals with Roger Moore doing the driving.

When Roger Moore left the CPCA for the WPCA in 2012, Wayne and Rusway Construction came with him, sponsoring Roger at a number of spots on the WPCA Pro Tour. In 2013 The Rusway Construction Outfit with Roger Moore in the wagon box won the Colonial Days Fair in Lloydminster for the second time - 10 years after they had captured it for the first time in 2003, and nearly won for a third time with three different drivers in 2014 when Evan Salmond came up just short and placed second overall. 2014 also saw Rusway construction buy Roger Moore for $51,000.00 at the Ponoka Stampede - a record high price that stands to this day. Wayne and Rusway Construction last sponsored Roger Moore at the 2019 Medicine Hat Stampede.

Wayne is survived by: his wife of 55 years,  Barbara Russell; children, Lana (Kevin) Lane, Tanya (Dean) Robertson, Bartley (Laurie) Russell, Jarrod Russell and Tami (Derek) Kappel; grandchildren, Keegan (Kaitlyn), Shae (Cade), Shelby, Drayce, Ricayla, Darby, Nevin, Charlie, Jake and Burke; great-grandchildren, Scout and Oakley; sisters, Louise McDougall, Joyce Breti and Marlene Wickson; brother, Dale Russell; sisters-in-law, Joan Harrison, Olga Crocker, Helena Crocker, Doreen Russell and Sharon Russell; brothers-in-law, Jim Crocker and Donald Breti; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Wayne was predeceased by: his parents, Wilfred and Alice Russell; in-laws, Edwin and Armina Crocker; sister, Lorraine Schmidt; brother, Bertram Russell; brothers-in-law, Andre Dorval, Robert McDougall, Bernie Schmidt, Walter Harrison, Charles Crocker and Gary Wickson; nephew, Darren Schmidt; niece, Tracy Russell; and great-niece Tracy Nyholt.

The Russell family will be forever grateful for the wonderful care he received at the Lloydminster Hospital this past year. The doctors, nurses and support staff were so kind and attentive to Wayne. Never forget his smile and charming demeanour!

Doc Sayeed, thank you for everything you have done to guide us medically along the way. We will always cherish your friendship.

The Celebration of Life for Wayne will be conducted from WLS Convention Centre, Lloydminster, SK on Friday, November 3, 2023 at 2:00 PM. If you are unable to attend in person, you may view the live streaming of the service posted on McCaw Funeral Service website under Wayne's obituary at the time of service.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Grace United Church (Lloydminster), Bissell United Church (Glaslyn) or Lloydminster Regional Health Foundation - Palliative Care.

Wayne will be missed by all in the WPCA, and we extend our sincere condolences to the Russell family.

Billy Melville