William J. Campbell

Bill was born May 8, 1937 in Geneva, NY, to John Campbell and Margaret Pitts Campbell Sabatini. He was predeceased by his parents, daughter Brooke, and brothers Robert, Donald, and Richard Campbell. Bill is survived by his wife, Joan O. Campbell and four children: son Scott and wife Joanne of Philadelphia, PA; son John of Marlton, NJ; daughter Beth and husband Ken Parsons of Maplewood, NJ; son Robert and wife Laura of London, UK. He leaves behind nine grandchildren: Lily and Evan Campbell; Olivia Campbell Parsons; Luke, Rebecca, and John Campbell; and Noelle, Liam, and Adam Rizkalla. He is also survived by brother John and wife Martha of Presto, PA; sister Mary Lou McCabe and companion Robert Ridall of Clearwater, FL; sister-in-law Violet Robbins of Duanesburg, NY; and many nieces and nephews.

Bill graduated from Mynderse Academy in Seneca Falls, NY, where he was raised. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, New London, CT. For five summers, he sailed on the USCGC Eagle (formerly the Horst Wessel and also known as the Barque Eagle) to various European sites as part of the Academy’s officer training. This was the beginning of twenty-five years of military service. His career encompassed both sea duty and shipyards; his first assignment was on the USCGC Mackinac, Staten Island, NY; followed by USCGC Winona, Port Angeles, WA; Marine Inspection Office, Jacksonville, FL; Engineer Officer, icebreaker USCGC Eastwind, Boston, MA; USCGC Duane, Boston, MA; Marine Inspection Office, San Francisco, CA; and Marine Inspection Office, Philadelphia, PA.

After retiring from the Coast Guard, Bill was employed by J.J. Henry, Naval Architects, Philadelphia, PA. He later formed his own company, W.J. Campbell, Marine Surveyor, inspecting a wide range of vessels for seaworthiness, damage assessment and appraisal purposes for insurers, banks, and as an expert witness. Bill was also the Nautical Inspector for The Bahamas Maritime Authority, responsible for providing annual inspections of Dole container ships. He continued to serve long-standing clients until 2018.

As a cadet at the Coast Guard Academy, Bill was an original member of the Idlers, a singing group that performed at a White House state dinner before President Eisenhower and guest of honor French President Charles de Gaulle. Bill also sang with the Idlers on The Perry Como Show and The Bell Telephone Hour, as well as at Carnegie Hall and St. Patrick’s Cathedral, NY, where they were the first amateur singing group to appear.

While living in Tabernacle, NJ, Bill was a volunteer at the Holy Eucharist Church, taking on various roles including ushering and fund raising. He also served on the board of the St. Vincent de Paul Society, providing food and financial aid to those in need. Bill was a devoted Catholic and faithful servant throughout his life, first as an altar boy, and later as a choir singer and active member of each parish he belonged to through multiple relocations by the USCG.

Bill enjoyed living in New Bern, where he was a member of the Elks, Knights of Columbus, and part of the Broad Creek Cleanup Crew, as well as Craven County Clean Sweeps. He was a Eucharistic Minister at St. Paul Catholic Church, providing Holy Communion to the sick and homebound. Bill liked solving math puzzles, reading, and his twice weekly bridge games. His early days as a caddy in Seneca Falls, carrying two bags at a time for 18 holes, engendered a lifetime love of golf. He relished his Friday morning breakfast with friends, and traveling with wife Joan, especially to visit children and grandchildren. Bill and Joan were very happy that their initial short visit to Fairfield Harbour led to a permanent move and the making of many wonderful friendships.

Family and friends are welcome to a visitation on Monday, May 1st from 10:00-11:00AM at Saint Paul Catholic Church, 3005 Country Club Rd, New Bern, NC. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00AM. Interment will be private.