William J. Campbell

William J. "Bill" Campbell, 83, of Naples, Fla., died peacefully of natural causes on December 4, 2021. Born December 26, 1937, in Bayonne, N.J., to Elizabeth O'Donnell Campbell and William Campbell, Bill spent most of his life in his beloved hometown, not far from his childhood house on West Fourth Street. He became a resident of Naples in the 1990s and was living there full-time at the time of his death. But make no mistake: Bill left his heart in Bayonne. He loved the city's storied history and most importantly, the people. Bill is survived by his wife, Eleanor "Ellie" Campbell; his sons Robert and Brian Campbell, with their wives Erin and Sophie, respectively, and six grandchildren (Gabby, Elizabeth, Rory, Emma, Marie and Hugh); as well as his siblings, Josephine Keller, Eugene P. Campbell and Donald D. Campbell. He is predeceased by his parents; his first wife and mother of his children Margaret Higgins Campbell and their son William Campbell, Jr.; as well as his brother Jack Campbell and sister Mary "Mae" Campbell Rath. Bill attended St. Andrew's Grammar School in Bayonne, St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, N.J., and Bayonne High School, where he graduated in 1954. He earned a bachelor's degree at Seton Hall University in 1960. He went on to complete the U.S. Marine Corps' Platoon Leaders Course and then served as a Reservist, completing his service with the rank of Major. Bill was a well-rounded, talented athlete in his youth, playing baseball in Monsignor Doyle's league, basketball in both the Bayonne Park league and Catholic Youth Organization (CYO), and football for the interstate "semi-pro" team, sponsored by Parentes Chatterbox. Professionally, Bill had his longest tenure at Pamrapo Savings Bank, joining in 1964, becoming president and chief operating officer in 1970 then director in 1986. Pamrapo converted to a public entity in 1989, and under Bill's leadership, it grew from $219 million in assets to over $627 million, while still maintaining its status as a community-minded financial institution. Bill earned and treasured the informal title "Bayonne's Banker." Bill held many leadership positions in a variety of professional and charitable organizations including: chairman of the State Investment Council, New Jersey's Dept. of the Treasury; member of the board of directors for the U.S. Council of Boy Scouts; chairman of Bayonne's United Way's fundraiser; Kiwanis Club member; member of board of directors for Bayonne's YMCA; president of the National Association of Review Appraisers and Mortgage Underwriters; member of the Panel of Arbitrators; and member of the Board of Trustees for Bayonne Hospital. Bill loved attending boxing events, playing golf and sailing. He had the gift of gab and delighted his nieces and nephews at family events with colorful memories from growing up in Bayonne with a cast of characters rivaling any fictional screenplay. Bill took great pride in his Irish heritage and was proud of the family's business and local Bayonne landmark, Campbell's Tavern, on Kennedy Boulevard. He was spirited, laughed easily and had a remarkable smile. Bill faced his life's sorrows with humility and resilience. His favorite movie was "It's a Wonderful Life", and he genuinely believed it to be so. Bill was truly one of a kind, and he will be dearly missed. The family held a Mass of Christian Burial for Bill on Tuesday, December 7 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Naples, with Military Funeral Honors. There was an interment service Friday, December 17 at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens.