William W. Campbell, Jr. (LTC, Retired) "Bill" MINT HILL - LTC (Retired) William W. Campbell "Bill", of Mint Hill, age 85, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, October 4, 2014, at Novant Health Matthews. Bill was born on 11 April, 1929 in Lakeland, Florida, the son of William Whitfield Campbell, Sr. and Bessie Withrow Campbell. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Patricia Boyd Campbell; a son, William W. Campbell, III ("Rip") and wife, Lisa Ciaschi Campbell, of Sylvania, GA; and two daughters, Julia Campbell Hanley and her husband, Michael Davies Hanley, of Lansing, KS and Gwendolyn Campbell Rhodes and her husband, John Walker Rhodes, of Huntersville, NC. He leaves behind nine adoring grandchildren: Heather Smoak (and husband, Lee) of Sylvania, GA, CPT William Campbell (and wife, Nicole), currently stationed at Fort Stewart, GA, and Joseph Campbell of Sylvania, GA; Ashley Anderson and Jennifer Anderson of Lansing, KS, Lauren Anderson of Denver, CO; and Kate, John, and Rachel Rhodes of Huntersville, NC. He also had two great-grandchildren, Eli Smoak and Tanner Campbell. LTC Campbell enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October of 1948 and served at Parris Island, SC until August of 1952. He became Army ROTC Cadet at Florida Southern College, where he graduated with distinction. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army in 1955. His Army travels took him to Germany; France; the Pentagon, Fort Benning, GA; Fort Knox, KY; Vietnam and Fort Leavenworth, KS, where he was an instructor at the Command and General Staff College. He chose to retire in Charlotte, NC, in 1971, and taught JROTC at Garinger High School until his retirement in 1991. During his years at Garinger, he took a personal interest in his cadets, and remained close to some of them for the remainder of his life. Bill owned and loved horses and spent countless weekends taking his family to horse shows. He was happiest spending time with Pat, watching his children and grandchildren ride horses, participate in sports and music, or just playing. He was a loving and devoted husband and father. He taught his children to love the Lord, to strive for excellence, to have compassion for all and to do what you love. He was humble, generous and kind. His zest for life was evident in his enthusiasm, his sense of humor and his gregarious personality. He had been a member of Hickory Grove Baptist Church, and First Baptist Church of Charlotte, NC. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, October 9, at McEwen Funeral Service, Mint Hill Chapel in Mint Hill, NC. Visitation will begin at 12:30 that same day. Bill will be laid to rest at Sunset Memory Gardens on Lawyers Road following the service. Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.
Published in Charlotte Observer on Oct. 7, 2014