William George Campbell

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) G. Campbell peacefully at home on January 6, 2023 at the age of 77. He is survived by his wife Yolanda; the mother of his son, Diane (Alan); his son Luke (Arata); his three grandsons, Brock, William and Alexander; his sisters Susan (Alex) and Anita; his brother Dr. Robert Campbell (Audrey); his three stepchildren, Amaya (Rob), Lex (Tiana) and Alena (Austin); his granddaughter, Carmen and extended family and friends.

Bill was the eldest son of Brock and Wilma Campbell. He lived in rural Alberta and BC communities before moving to Calgary at the age of 14. He was close to his grandfather, a farmer of Irish descent, from whom he learned the value of hard work and love for the land. From his father he acquired kindness towards animals, enjoyment of family and the quietness of life. From his mother, Bill learned compassion and the value of education.

Bill obtained his MSc. from the University of Alberta at Calgary and his MD degree from the University of Alberta. Following that, he did a rotating internship at the Holy Cross Hospital in Calgary, followed by two years of internal medicine at the Foothills Hospital. He then started a family medicine practice and developed a special interest in addiction medicine in 1980. He was certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine in 1986 and was recognized as a fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine in the year 2000.

Bill became a member of the Canadian Society of Addiction Medicine when it began in 1989 and served as secretary and as a board member from Alberta. He went on to become president of CSAM from 2000 to 2002. He was a clinical associate professor in family practice at the University of Calgary. He practiced addiction medicine privately and was a consulting physician at the Foothills Medical Centre Addiction Centre, the Calgary Non-Medical Hospital Detoxification Centre, the Aventa Centre, the Sheldon Chumir Addiction and Mental Health Opioid Dependency Program, as well as being a part-time medical examiner.

Bill worked hard and played hard. He joined the Calgary Highlanders as a medical officer with the rank of captain. This appointment allowed him to pursue his dream of playing the bagpipes. He also travelled extensively visiting the UK, Cuba, Japan, and hiked in Nepal, as well as hiking the West Coast Trail. In addition to travelling, and hiking Bill enjoyed many other outdoor activities such as sailing, fishing, golfing, skiing and rollerblading. Another keen interest of Bill’s was astronomy, and he had just recently purchased a new telescope for star gazing. Anyone who knew Bill would know what an avid reader he was, and his reading interests were broad. He had a deep and wide knowledge base that included history, science, and philosophy. Just prior to retirement, his readings and his love of learning led him to complete an MA in philosophy from the University of Warwick.

Bill’s life changed dramatically in 2005 when he suffered an aortic aneurysm that left him with a left partial paralysis and severe back pain. He went back to work dragging himself around with crutches for 5 years before going to a wheelchair in 2010. Even though he could no longer ski or rollerblade, when Bill retired to Kelowna in 2013, he lived a full life. He was able to do disabled sailing, horseback riding, and golf. He took online courses, played piano, joined a bridge club with his son, and became a member of the Mountainview Church community.

Bill was always happy and always interested in life. He had some abiding principles that sustained him through his adversity: loving friends, family and animals is what life is all about, kindness to others is not negotiable and life is not to be endured but enjoyed and appreciated.

Bill was very curious and wherever his spirit is now he will be looking to find out what’s coming next.

A big thank you to his Occupational Therapist, Jon Crozier, the Interior Health Home Care and Palliative Care Nurses, the caring Bayshore Caregivers, and the Red Cross. Bill was very grateful to be able to die at home. There will be no formal service at this time. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the BC or Alberta SPCA. Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.firstmemorialfuneralkelowna.com

Arrangements entrusted with First Memorial Funeral Services, Kelowna, BC 250-762-2299