Bill Campbell was born in 1943. He grew up in Yazoo City, Mississippi, the third of four children. He was an Eagle Scout, a student-athlete, and a gifted artist.
In high school, he was offered a full scholarship to Phillips Exeter Academy. From there, he was awarded a Morehead Scholarship to UNC Chapel Hill. He majored in art, always a passion, and became president of the Carolina student union. He then got his master’s degree in advertising at the Medill School at Northwestern University.
After graduation, he married Margaret (Meg) Graham and began an advertising career that took him to Chicago, then Charlotte, and then Virginia Beach, where he met Bob Barker and Palmer Farley at Lawler Ballard. They formed their own agency, later called BCF, which handled advertising for the city of Virginia Beach, Virginia tourism, Taste Unlimited, and many other clients. Bill was creative director during his tenure.
Upon retirement, Bill returned to making art, which gave him great joy. Bill was a mainstay of Virginia MOCA as a longtime Board Member and president, The Virginia Beach Art Center and The Artists Gallery as chairman and board member, and the SPCA as board member. As a painter, Bill’s favorite subjects were landscapes, buildings, and pet portraits; some of the latter were in support of the SPCA.
He was an integral supporter of the Tidewater Council of Scouting America. Both his sons are Eagle Scouts.
Through Meg, he developed a love of gardening. There were years of friendly competition for the biggest and best tomato among the growers in his neighborhood, “the 69th Street Irregulars.” Meg and Bill were great travelers and visited many varied parts of the world.
Despite a serious diagnosis in 2022, Bill continued to enjoy life on his own terms for four more years, inspiring everyone he knew to seek out new adventures and experiences. After a brief interval, his passing was quick, peaceful, and surrounded by loved ones.
There will be a celebration of life on August 28 at Princess Anne Country Club at 3 pm. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to honor him are encouraged to send donations to the Virginia Beach Art Center at 532 Virginia Beach Boulevard, or by clicking the donation link below.
He is survived by Meg, his wife of 58 years; his sons T (Janice) and Graham (Katie); and his precious granddaughter Lucy. The world is a more beautiful place because he lived in it.
