WILLIAM (BILL) DERRY CAMPBELL

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WILLIAM (BILL) DERRY CAMPBELL

March 17, 1932 - June 24, 2026

It is with broken hearts we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather William Derry (Bill) Campbell on June 24, 2026 at Grace General Hospital aged 94 years.

Bill is survived by his daughters Lori and Gail and son Gregg (Colleen); his grandchildren Kyra (Colin), Spencer, Scott, Chase (Olga), Rachel (Aidan) and Dane (Laurissa); his great grandchildren Troy and Hannah; and by many dear nieces and nephews.

Dad was predeceased by his wife Margaret; his mother Dolina and father Murdo; his brothers Duncan, John (Helen), Donald (Ollie), Allan (May) and sister Isabel; and his brothers-in-law Jack (Georgina) and Bill (Edith).

Bill was a St. James boy through and through. He was born on St. Patrick’s Day earning a childhood nickname of Pat. Growing up on Brooklyn Street he enjoyed a childhood filled with adventure. He often spoke of times spent riding the trains, jumping off train bridges and swimming in the Assiniboine River. Bill attended Assiniboia School and then worked various jobs; from Eatons Centre to Perth’s Dry Cleaning to Devil’s Gap Lodge, and also as a bicycle telegram boy. He was especially fond of his time as a fireman on the CN railway.

At twenty-one years old Bill enlisted in the army. He served in the Korean War with the Queen's Own Rifles as part of the UN peacekeeping mission. Upon his discharge, he returned to work on the railway and eventually landed a job at Clark Leatherdale’s funeral home. Bill's time at Clark Leatherdale introduced him to Norm McCloud who, with his Highland connections, secured Dad a first job in what would become his professional career as stationary engineer. It was also working at Clark Leatherdale that he happened to meet his future wife Margaret Hardy. They attended the same get-together at the Army and Navy and, as they say, the rest is history.

Mom and Dad married six months after that fateful meeting and celebrated 58 years together. It was at their first home on Warsaw Avenue where they welcomed Lori and then Gregg into their family. Raising a young family and working nights did not hamper Bill’s determination to continue learning. He studied hard to gain his GED and went on to eventually earn his fourth, third, second and first-class ticket as a Power Engineer. The family briefly moved to Pinawa where Gail was born and returned to Winnipeg to settle at a home on Raquette Street where they resided for over thirty years and made life-long friends.

Dad worked at the Department of Labour as a boiler inspector, retiring as the supervisor of inspectors in 1992.

Bill was a true craftsman. He explored and excelled at many creative endeavors throughout his life, including reading, playing guitar and singing. He loved to paint and spent hours upon hours in his tiny basement studio with his dog Baxter by his side; later becoming a member of the St. James Art Club. An avid volunteer, Bill joined the crew at the Prairie Dog Express to help rebuild their boiler and was heavily involved with the Korean Veterans association as a Treasurer and Ambassador for many years.

Mom and Dad enjoyed their retirement with many trips, visiting Phoenix, Texas, Nashville, Victoria and Nanaimo. They loved camping and for many years spent summers in Ninette and the Winnipeg Beach areas. They became proud owners of a cottage in Whytewold and later moved to a second cottage in Ponemah. Bill and Marg would enjoy the summers hosting their kids and grandkids and family. Bill enjoyed his cottage garage workshop and built not only many beautiful birdhouses but also a fully-fledged “clubhouse” for his grandchildren, complete with their names engraved over the front doorway.

Bill and Marg were always side-by-side and his devotion to her was truly inspiring. When Marg fell ill, Bill remained by her side every day with love and cheer. Her passing took a major toll on him but through his grief Bill embraced a new phase of life at Sturgeon Creek II retirement home. He made many good friends there including Jean Ross; he also enjoyed painting, puzzles, crib games, lego sets, reading Mad Magazine, and watching Get Smart. Bill displayed an impressive aptitude for recalling life events and history and he always had a story to tell. He was able to share in the celebration of his own story when at 88 years old Bill travelled back to Seoul, Korea as an honoured guest of a Remembrance Day ceremony.

Our Dad lived his life with grace, humour and kindness to all and was a stoic until the end. He passed on ample curiosity and a deep interest in history, reading and music to his family; above all, the most cherished gift Dad gave was his unwavering and unconditional love for which we are eternally grateful.

Our family would like to thank Dr. Fletcher, all the wonderful residents and staff at Sturgeon II, the amazing healthcare team at Grace Hospital 5 North Ward, and his attending doctor Dr. George.

Love you Dad. You will always be in our hearts.

Detail’s of Dad’s gravesite ceremony at Brookside Cemetary will be announced at a later date.

Tributes: www.desjardinsfuneralchapel.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jul 11, 2026