RIP Dr. WIlliam Russell Young III

 from Legacy -

William Young Obituary

Obituary published on Legacy.com by Maberry Funeral Home, Inc. on Nov. 6, 2026.
William Russell "Russ" Young, III, of Floyd, Virginia, was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, on October 11, 1949, and died on November 5, 2026. He was the only child of Marilyn (nee Field) and William Russell "Bill" Young. Russ is survived by his cousin, Charles Killian.

As a young man, Russ worked as a farm hand, photographer's assistant, and meat packer. His family founded Field Packing Company, where he learned integrity, value of hard labor, philanthropy, and duty from his esteemed grandfather, Charles Field.

He continued his family's tradition as a supporter of the arts, environmental groups, and social welfare organizations. Russ was active in giving back to his community through his Masonic Lodges in the USA and Scotland; serving on boards as diverse as the Palace of the Governors history museum, The Pinhole Resource, and Brescia University, where he served several decades on those boards.

Russ was a life member of Masonic Lodge St. Andrews #25 in St. Andrews, Scotland, and a firm believer in the Masonic precepts of equality and charity, a generous friend and philanthropist who disdained public recognition, so the full extent of his generosity is unknown. The brief but electric years he lived in Scotland affirmed and further formed his values and world view.

A lifelong learner with a curious mind, he earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University, a Master of Arts in Photojournalism from the University of Texas, and a Ph.D. in The History of Photography from Saint Andrews University, Scotland. His contributions to photography were recognized by being awarded a Fellow of The Royal Photographic Society and the National Stereoscopic Society.

Russ lectured in photography at The University of Texas at Austin and a consortium of small Midwest liberal arts colleges, ASITAW. He was especially intrigued by early photographic technology. When his students were awarded Pulitzer Prizes or were appointed Department Chairs, he felt a tremendous sense of fulfillment and pride in their successes. He found great satisfaction in using his collection of antique lenses to make beautiful landscape photos, which he sometimes used to illustrate his contributions to photo journals over the years.

His lifelong interest in history led him to become a leading expert on the use of horn and powder horns in the 18th and 19th century, becoming the pivotal founding member of The Honourable Company of Horners and judge for the Contemporary Longrifle Association and Dixon's Gun Fair. He was also an avid flintlock shooter and collector, blacksmith, medieval calligrapher, all reflecting his lack of enthusiasm for modern life.

It was Russ's wish to have no funeral or memorial service. In lieu of flowers, Russ's final request is that his friends donate to Wikimedia Foundation or the June Bug Center in Floyd.