Russell Lee Thomason

SFC (Ret.) Russell Lee Thomason (Tool Man), age 85 passed away on Wednesday, October 5, 2022, at the VA Hospital in Nashville.

The family will receive friends on Friday, October 7, 2022, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Saturday, October 8, 2022, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia, Tennessee. A service for Russell will be on Sunday, October 9, 2022, at 2:00 PM at Williams Funeral Home in Columbia, Tennessee with David Kersey officiating. Russell will be laid to rest at Polk Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers will be: Bill Williams, Jerry Williams, Charles (Duke) Williams, David (Mutt) Williams, Jeff Wells, and Walt Long.
Honorary pallbearers will be: Fael Rummage and Danny Cummins.

Born on October 15, 1936, Russell was the son of the late Eulas Russell Thomason and Annie Lee Carpenter Thomason.

Russell served our country honorably with over 20 years of service as an Infantryman in the United States Army and achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class prior to his retirement.

After leaving the Army, Russell went to masonry school. Following masonry school, he worked at Maramount Gabriel for 18 years while continuing to build a beautiful life for his wife and children. Additionally, while working for Maramount, he started raising tobacco and growing a garden to additionally provide for his family. He also had a little shop where he would sell tools and knives. That’s how he developed his nickname “Tool Man” around the local area. Russell spoke plainly and to the point, but he loved a good joke and liked to make other people laugh.

Russell was a proud father and grandfather. He loved watching his children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments.

He was a kind and devoted man in so many ways but especially to his wife, the love of his life of 63 years: Margaret. He will be deeply missed by her, as well as family and friends.

Russell is reunited with his parents: Eulas Russell Thomason and Annie Lee Carpenter Thomason; son: Tommy Thomason; sisters: Lela Osbourne and Margaret Ann Clark; and brother: David Thomason.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife: Margaret Thomason; daughters: Tammy (Larry) Duncan, and Bonnie (Tim) Bridgers; grandchildren: Chris (Stephanie) Thomason, Brandon Edwards, Peyton Duncan, Bryce Bridgers, Danica Bridgers; brother: Wayne Thomason; sisters: Gracie Ramsey and Jewell Johnson; and numerous nieces and nephew.

The care of SFC (Ret.) Russell Lee Thomason and his family have been entrusted to the staff of Williams Funeral Home. To share words of comfort, condolences and flowers please visit www.williamsfh.com .