William Kampe "Bill" Backer Jr.

William 'Bill' Kampe Backer, Jr., born June 8, 1938, passed into the Lord's arms on November 24, 2025. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Virginia and William K. Backer, Sr. He attended Miami University (Ohio) where he met Sue Horsburgh. They graduated in 1960 and shortly after were married. He worked for Ford Motor Company and served in the Air Force during the Berlin Buildup. After being discharged from the military, he returned to Ford where he served in a variety of positions before changing to the retail automobile business. In 1980, Bill and Sue ventured out on their own to open Marple Ford in Broomall, Pennsylvania. They worked hard to develop a successful business that served their community. After 25 years of being business owners, Bill and Sue retired to Chestertown, Maryland, where they enjoyed several wonderful years.
Bill was active in various Rotary Clubs over the years and loved to encourage and coach new business owners and entrepreneurs. In addition, Bill was active in the churches that they attended including Media Presbyterian Church (Pennsylvania) and The Presbyterian Church of Chestertown (Maryland). His hobbies included sailing, boating, antique and classic cars and visiting with his grandchildren. With Sue's declining health, Bill quickly stepped in to become her caregiver. In 2012, Bill and Sue relocated to Huntsville, Alabama, where they lived in a retirement community and were lovingly cared for by their daughter Gwen.
Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Sue; parents, Bill and Virginia; and his siblings, Don Backer and Barb York. He is survived by their three children, Gwen (Tim) Murphy of Huntsville, Alabama; Dana Backer of Tucson, Arizona; and Brad (Jennifer) Backer of Kansas City; four grandchildren, Tim (Millicent) Murphy, Hope (William) Snow, Will Backer, and Elizabeth Backer, and two great-grandchildren, Charlotte Murphy and Sutton Snow. The family thanks all of the caregivers, nurses, and doctors who have cared for Bill over the last several years.
A graveside memorial service will be held on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 11:00 am at Valhalla Memory Gardens, 698 Winchester Road, Huntsville, Alabama.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bill's honor to The Alzheimer's Association (www.alz.org).