William "Bill" J. Campbell

William J. Campbell, 86, died peacefully on September 8, 2023 surrounded by his loving children.

Born and raised in Washington Heights, New York to Irish immigrants James and Grace Campbell (nee Gallagher), Bill cultivated lifelong friendships with his crew from “The Heights”. A gifted student and baseball player, he attended Incarnation grammar school and went on to graduate from Cardinal Hayes High School in 1954, where he was Class President. His academic achievements awarded him a full scholarship to Iona College, where he received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Marketing and Retail in 1958.

He was proud to serve his country as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Navy completing his officer training in Newport, RI. He was commissioned on the USS Tanner in the Persian Gulf during the Vietnam War and was honorably discharged in 1962. His time in the Navy afforded him the opportunity to see the world and ignited a lifelong love of travel.

He married the love of his life, Maureen (Keating) in 1962. They grew up 4 blocks apart in “The Heights”, attended the same Grammar school and had known each other most of their lives making them a great match.

The newlyweds moved to Jackson Heights, NY where Bill began his executive career with Sears, Roebuck & Co. He spent almost 20 years in retail in various executive roles until they moved corporate offices to the famed Sears Tower in Chicago. While he was at Sears, he and Maureen settled in Hillsborough, NJ to raise their family.

In 1981, they bought a craft manufacturing business and incorporated it as Willmaur Crafts. That same year, they purchased a summer home in Chadwick Beach, NJ. Summers in Chadwick were spent kayaking, sailing, golfing, entertaining friends and family and enjoying nights out listening to live music especially if it was Irish!

Bill loved sports. He followed the NY Giants and Villanova basketball, but his devotion to Yankees baseball was legendary rarely missing a game. He sold his business in 1996 and retired at 58, which coincided with the last of his four children graduating from Villanova University. In his retirement years, he and Maureen traveled the country extensively, played many rounds of golf and he frequently could be found with his nose in a good book. Later, he also learned how to play the bagpipes. He joined the St Ann’s of Hampton Pipe and Drum Band and for several years marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City. He was also a proud member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Somerset County.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Maureen, his parents and his four brothers, Lawrence, James, John and Vincent Campbell.

Surviving are his beloved children, daughter Kathleen Campbell, son William Campbell and wife Laurie, grandchildren Liam, Hannah and Nora Campbell, daughter Deirdre Einhorn and husband Gregory, daughter Kerry Campbell and partner Stephen Mitchell, as well as extended family and friends.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 PM on Friday, September 15, 2023 at Cusick Funeral Home, 80 Mountain Avenue, Somerville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM on Saturday, September 16, 2023, at Mary Mother of God, 157 S. Triangle Road, Hillsborough. Family and friends are welcome to gather at the funeral home beginning at 9:30 AM.