Russell Leigh Whiteley

Russell Leigh Whiteley, 62, of Hobbs, New Mexico went to be with the Lord on October 13, 2023. Memorial service is scheduled for October 21st at 3:00 pm at Blodgett Street Baptist Church with Pastor David Prell officiating.  Interment will be held following the service at Sunset Gardens Cemetery.  Arrangements have been entrusted to Denton-Wood Funeral Home.

Russell was born on July 22, 1961, in Carlsbad, NM.  He was raised in Carlsbad and attended local schools. Russell then started to work in the oil fields, while attending classes at New Mexico State University at Carlsbad.  While attending classes he developed an interest in the nuclear waste management field.  He received a job opportunity at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and was employed there many years finishing his career as the Radiological Control Manager.  He then took his knowledge and accepted a position at Louisiana Energy Services facility near Eunice. NM, where he oversaw nuclear and hazardous waste activities.

He is preceded in death by his parents Edith and Wayne Birchell, nieces Nancy Haggerton, Crystal Reese, Julie Whiteley, sister-in-law Glenda Whiteley, Brother-in-laws Sonny Esparza and Ricky Martin. 

He is survived by his son, Scott Whiteley, grand-daughter Madison, siblings Ricky Whiteley (Cathy), Randy Whiteley, Rebecca Esparza, Melissa Martin, Amy Wood (Judah) and many nieces and nephews.

Russell loved camping, arrowhead hunting, and riding his four-wheeler “Candi.”  He loved carpentry, remodeling homes and tinkering with muscle cars.  His closest friends for many, many years were the Dark Canyon Brothers, which consisted of Gary Hendley, George Mitchell, David Persely, Paul Rouch and Mike Janousek.  He cherished every opportunity to camp in the mountains with the Dark Canyon Brothers and ride his four-wheeler. He loved being with friends and family, as stated by one of his closest friends, “I’ve never met a kinder, more caring person.”