Wille Ray Campbell

Willie Ray "Bill" Campbell, 92, a 60 year Wenatchee Valley resident, passed away Saturday, March 15, 2014 at Caring Cottage in Wenatchee, following an extended illness. He was born on August 4, 1921, outside Medical Lake WA on a wheat ranch. The family moved to the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas when he was 2 years old and they remained there through his adolescence. He quit school in the 8th grade to work the family farm full time. He split his time between sharecropping in Arkansas and working in the fruit business in eastern Washington until 1953, when he settled his family full time in the Wenatchee area. Eventually he gravitated to work as a truck driver, working both as an independent and for several Wenatchee area companies. Bill joined Weinstein Beverage Company in 1972, retiring from there in 1986. He was a long time member of the Teamsters Union. In retirement, Bill enjoyed working on cars and gardening. He was known for being generous with his time and always willing to lend a helping hand. He was also known as "Sweet William" and had an affinity for the ladies and always called his waitresses his girlfriend. His children, Judy Shaw (Ronald) of San Jose CA and Douglas (Laurie) of Lewis Center OH; one sister, Venita Yancey of Lodi, CA, where she resides in a state of blissful happiness; his grandchildren: Mindy and Derek Shaw of San Jose CA, Mark & Scott Campbell of Lewis Center OH, and Rebecca Starks of Kirkland WA; numerous other relations scattered across the United States, some known, others not. He was a friend to everyone and a was a father and grandfather figure to Les Benedict of Wenatchee, Russ and Sharon Stephens of Malaga, Sonja Kniep of Wenatchee and Lacey Kniep of Kirkland as well as the many friends he touched by his life. He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 ½ years, Pauline, one sister, Jackie and one brother Jim. A Graveside service will be held on Friday, March 28th at 10:00 a.m. in Evergreen Memorial Park, East Wenatchee with a Celebration Service to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Heritage Memorial Chapel, 19 Rock Island Road, East Wenatchee with Pastor Bob Lenderman officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Thursday from 3:00 to 7:00pm and on Friday from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. You are invited to visit his tribute online at www.HeritageMemorialChapel.com . In Lieu of other memorials the family is planning on purchasing a park bench in his memory to be placed on the East Wenatchee side of the Loop Trail. Arrangements are in the care of Heritage Memorial Chapel, East Wenatchee.

Wille Ray Campbell

August 4, 1921 - March 15, 2014