William Walter Campbell

William (Bill) Walter Campbell, age 88, of Bel Air Maryland, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family, after a brief two-night stay at the Senator Bob Hooper House. Born and raised in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, he was the son of Walter and Mercedes (Litz) Campbell, and brother to Robert and Norbert Campbell. Always very proud of his humble Pittsburgh roots, Bill would share stories about his first job as a paperboy serving his hometown. In high school, he worked at a men's clothing shop, where he learned to sew and tailor clothes— a skill he carried with him throughout his life. He also a served as an altar boy for many years at his local church Saint Canice.

Bill graduated from University of Oklahoma in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He began his successful career with Northwest Magnesite Company in Cape May, New Jersey. It was during this time that he met his wife Patty at The Ugly Mug Bar in Cape May. Bill and Patty were married on July 9th, 1960. The very next day, Bill, Patty, and her six-year-old daughter Kathy, who he soon after adopted, moved to Ludington Michigan where Bill began working at Harbison-Walker Refractories Company, where he worked as an Assistant Plant Manager for 9 years. While in Michigan, Bill and Patty added to the family with the births of daughters Joyce and Nancy after the loss of their premature baby boy Gregory. The family moved yet again to follow Bill’s growing career, which led him to Manhattan to work for Nichols Engineering. The family lived in North Jersey and Bill commuted to Manhattan daily by train. Finally, Bill became Vice President of Operations of the Magnesium Chemical Division at Martin Marietta. This brought the family to their final destination where they settled into a cozy rancher in Bel Air MD, where they would spend the next 53 years. Throughout his career Bill traveled extensively, both domestically and internationally, taking on various roles as an innovator and leader in his field. His contributions included several self-made patents. Bill concluded his career as a Chemical Engineer, serving as a civilian leader in the Army on a project dedicated to the safe disposal of toxic chemicals.

As strong as his commitment to his career was, Bill’s devotion to his family was greater. He cherished time with his family, whether it was spent on his beloved boat 'Soupy,' enjoying trips to the beach, supporting his daughter Joyce at horse competitions, attending Baltimore Colts games with Nancy, or simply relaxing and reading the paper at home. Bill also enjoyed gardening and took great pride in his rose garden, tending to it with meticulous care. He loved to entertain his friends and family and made a mean martini. A close runner up would be his famous Thanksgiving turkey which he spent painstaking hours in the kitchen perfecting, so much so that dinner would not begin until 9 pm at least. A die-hard Pittsburgh Steelers fan, he enjoyed a playful rivalry with his Ravens-loving family. At Christmas, he took pride in his Christmas tree decorations. A lifelong animal lover, Bill cherished the companionship of many dogs over the years. Bill’s faith was also a cornerstone of his life; he and Patty were devoted members of St. Margaret’s Catholic Church for 50 years.

He is survived by his three loving daughters, Kathy Ross, Joyce (Frederick) Emge, and Nancy Campbell; grandchildren Erin Grasham, Brendan (Lyndsey) Ross, Alex Ross, Rachel Emge, Nathan Emge, Michael Grasham, Emma (Adam) Dean, and Margo Sybert; great grandchildren Addalyn Ross, Xander Ross, Sullivan Ross and Henry Dean; brother Robert (Nancy) Campbell; and nieces and nephews Craig Campbell, Scott (Anne) Campbell, and Courtney Campbell.

Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his wife Marjorie (Patty) Campbell, brother Father Norbert Campbell, grandson Paul Grasham, and infant son Gregory Campbell.

Bill’s generosity, wisdom, and dry humor will be deeply missed, but his legacy of love and devotion to family will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Those who desire can contribute to: Senator Bob Hooper House c/o Upper Chesapeake Health Foundation 520 Upper Chesapeake Drive, Suite 405, Bel Air, Md 21014