Hartland, VT
William Edgar "Bill" Campbell, 90, passed away on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018 in Windsor, VT following a long hard fought battle with the challenges of aging and the onset of dementia. Bill did not wage this battle alone. He was accompanied by Irene (Lasure), his wife of 68 years, who spent every day attentively by his side throughout his long stay at the Victorian House at Cedar Hill.
Bill came into this world July 25, 1927 in Bridgewater, VT, the son of Erwin and Gladys (Briggs) Campbell. He attended schools in Woodstock and Windsor, while working on the family farm and on the Billings farm in Woodstock. After finding his way to Pearl Harbor while serving in the United States Navy during WWII, he returned to Vermont where he and Irene were married in Hartland, on February 19, 1949. After working at the Goodyear factory in Windsor, he was employed by the Davis Brothers Garage, where he began what was to become his life time ambition, repairing and servicing the automobiles of the era. Soon thereafter, Bill and his life time friend, Lawrence Davis started the Davis & Campbell's Garage in Hartland (now Mike's Store & Deli). The "Garage" became the focal point where the locals would gather to have their cars, trucks, and farm equipment serviced and to catch up on local news and politics of the time. After 40 years at the garage, Bill retired in 1992. Bill also served on the Hartland Board of Selectmen for many years and was a member of American Legion Post 48. Throughout his life, Bill was an avid hunter, fisherman, stock car race fan (having made it to Las Vegas Motor Speedway six times), a gardener extraordinaire, snowmobiler and camper. He shared all these interests with "Babe" (Irene), the love of his life at his side as full partner in everything he did. Some of his proudest and happiest times were the days spent with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Besides his wife, Irene, Bill is survived by son Tom Campbell and his wife Mary, daughter Lisa Brown and her husband Scott, all of Hartland. Bill is also survived by grandchildren, Martha Campbell of Hartland, Kevin Campbell and his wife Nan of Underhill, VT, Bethany Brown Strand and her husband Mike of Fairfax, Eric Brown of Hartland and great grandchildren, Mason and Ethan Archambeault of Hartland and Ellie and Morgan Campbell of Underhill. Bill is also survived by his sister Muriel Hood and her husband Temple of Ascutney, VT and several nieces and nephews. Bill was predeceased by his sisters Gladys Morrill and Lucille Handley and his brother Donald Campbell.
Calling hours will be held Friday, February 9th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at the Knight Funeral Home in Windsor. The funeral service will be held Saturday, February 10th at 11:00 AM at the Hartland Congregational Church. There will be a gathering for family and friends immediately following at Damon Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Bill's memory to the Hartland Rescue Squad, Hartland Volunteer Fire Department, or Hartland Christmas Project at the Congregational Church.