LLOYD WILLIAM (BILL) CAMPBELL, Major, USAF (Retired), a loved son, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend went home to his Savior, Jesus Christ on October 29, 2009.
Major Campbell was born on December 19, 1918 to James Tillman (Will) and Viola Campbell in Coushatta, Red River Parish, Louisiana, near the banks of Bayou Pierre. His parents lived and worked on a cotton plantation until moving to Mansfield, Louisiana where Bill attended Mansfield High School. He joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1938, and enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps in 1940. He served his country honorably for 32 years as both an enlisted person and officer. During World War II he served as a battlefield medic, physicians’ assistant and field hospital technician in the South Pacific theater on the islands of Guam, Tinian and Eniwetok. Following World War II he elected to continue serving his country, reenlisted in the Army Air Corps, attended the School of Aviation Medicine, and became one of the Air Corp’s first qualified flight surgeon assistants. He served in hospital flight medicine clinics at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois; James Connally Air Force Base, Texas; and Lindsey Air Station, Weisbaden, Germany. Returning to the United States in 1956 he served in medical administration positions at Waco Air Force Base, Texas; Headquarters Air Training Command, Randolph Air Force Base, Texas; and as a Medical Staffing Officer on the medical services and personnel staff in Headquarters Air Force at the Pentagon, Washington DC. He was subsequently assigned to the new United States Air Force Military Personnel Center at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas serving in personnel assignment and records administration offices until retiring in 1970. He attained the highest enlisted rank achievable during his period of service, Chief Master Sergeant, and the rank of Major as an officer. His military awards and decorations included: Air Force Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.
He practiced his Christian faith by teaching Sunday School in many churches and kindly helping persons in need for over 50 years. He was a Mason for 65 years attaining 32nd Degree distinction, and was active in the Shriners and Eastern Star charity organizations. He participated in the American Legion Honor Guard in Somerset, Kentucky and received an honorary Kentucky Colonel commission for his community service activities honoring veterans and their dependents. He was an amateur magician who amazed friends and family with his “faster than the eye” skills, and was a practical jokester who brought smiles to people of every age. He always had an interesting story to tell that contained sincere wisdom for the one listening.
Major Campbell started walking for exercise while stationed on Randolph AFB in the 1960s and walked several miles a day until his long-term pulmonary disease prevented him from doing so at the age of 89. Even though slowed by his failing lungs he continued to lead exercise classes at Air Force Village I, a senior living community near San Antonio, Texas. Participating residents responded to his “move it or lose it” encouragement with enthusiasm. He and his wife were also enthusiastic square dancers belonging to several square dance clubs across the country, and he served as an officer in several clubs.
He was an avid motorcyclist who owned six Honda Gold Wing motorcycles over the years, and was active in the Gold Wing Riders and Christian Motorcycle Associations. He proudly took his “last ride” on his 2005 Gold Wing at the age of 89. He was a persistent motorcycling safety advocate and was instrumental in getting the Air Force to implement mandatory wearing of helmets on Air Force Bases and requiring motorcycle riders to attend a motorcycle safety class. He continued his safe motorcycling advocacy well into his mid-80s teaching motorcycle safety classes until 2000. He was honored for his many years of volunteer service by many of his Kentucky “Gold Wing” friends who rode with him to celebrate arrival of the 21st century on New Year‘s night December 31, 1999. He was 81, the oldest rider.
Bill met and married a young red-headed WAC named Frances Oldham while stationed at Dale Mabry Field, Tallahassee, FL on December 1, 1943 after only 3 months of courtship, and they had two sons and one daughter. His beloved Frances preceded him in death on February 6, 2008 after 64 years of marriage.
He was also preceded in death by a brother, Robert; and two sons, Hollis and Frederick Campbell.
He is survived by daughter, Gloria Campbell Gallagher and husband Daniel Gallagher of New Braunfels, Tx; grandchildren, Allison Pechuls and husband, Carlos Hernandez, Mark Pechuls and wife Chongok, Kyle Pechuls and wife Donna, Kelly James Gallagher, David Gallagher; great-grandchildren, Stephen Pechuls, Cole Denson, Mason, Chase and Makenna Kirkham, Agathia Hernandez-Pechuls, Hanul Pechuls, Dylan and Tony Pechuls, and Summer Gallagher.
Major Bill Campbell was one of the true heroes from the greatest generation of our great nation. He faithfully lived life serving others and his Lord, Jesus Christ. He will be missed and remembered by his family and friends for a very long time.
Due to Major Campbell’s illness he moved to New Braunfels to be closer to his daughter’s care in June 2009 living at McKenna Village, a new independent and assisted living facility. Major Campbell went under Hospice Care in September and continued to be cared for by the loving staff at McKenna Village who with the help of Hope Hospice of New Braunfels, helped him transition to his new home in Heaven. Major Campbell’s family wishes to thank all the staff at McKenna Village for their wonderful loving care given to him and his family during the last four months of his life. They can’t express enough how extremely loved they came to feel.
Visitation will be 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at Sunset Funeral Home, Graveside Services will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, November 5, 2009 at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
Major Campbell wanted to make sure his friends and family knew the care he received from Hope Hospice was professional and loving and he requested donations be made to help that organization continue it’s work. Donations can be sent to Hope Hospice, 611 NorthWalnut Avenue, New Braunfels, Tx 78130, Tele 800-499-7501, http://www.hopehospice.net.
Major Campbell generously supported the Shriners Hospital for Children and his family requests your memorial gifts be made to the Shriners hospitals to help them continue their work with critically ill children. Shriners International Headquarters2900 Rocky Point Dr. Tampa, FL 33607Telephone: 813.281.0300 http://www.shrinershq.org/Hospitals/Main
Please visit www.sunsetmemorialparkandfuneralhome.com to sign the family guest book.
Sunset Funeral Home, 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio, TX 78218, (210) 828-2811.
Gloria Campbell Gallagher
1375 Timberhill Drive
New Braunfels, TX 78132
gutsking@aol.com
