Obituary of Billy Campbell

Graveside services with full military honors for Billy L. Campbell, 87, Tyler, formerly of Troup, are scheduled for 11:00 am, Tuesday, January 11, at the Pinecrest Cemetery, Troup with Chaplain Dennis Harvey offciating, under the direction of Cottle Funeral Home, Troup. Mr. Campbell died Saturday, January 8, 2011, in a Tyler hospice facility.  He was born September 16, 1923, in Santa Rita, New Mexico to the late Hugh A. and Lillie Lee Campbell. He married Ruth Hemby, March 7, 1946, in Tyler. She preceded him in death November 15, 2007. Mr. Campbell retired from the U.S. Air Force as Chief Master Sergeant after 22 years. He served in World War II in the European Theater including the Battle of the Bulge. After retirement from the military, he worked in Civil Service for 13 years as a Rural Letter Carrier for the Troup Post Office. He was a graduate of Troup High School and a member and retired Deacon of the First Baptist Church, Troup. He was the best dad in the world and a loving caregiver to his wife. He loved fishing, hunting and visiting with friends. In addition to his wife, parents, and loving step mother, Eleanor Hale Campbell, he was also preceded in death by his granddaughter, Stormy Campbell; sister Marjorie Caraway and nephew, Cecil 'Bud' Caraway. Survivors include a son and daughter-in-law, Lee and Gilda Campbell, Galveston; a daughter and son-in-law, Margie and Robert Evans, Tyler; four grandchildren, Mark Evans and wife, Michelle, Baytown, Matt Evans, Tyler,  Bailey Campbell, Galveston, Ashley Hardman and husband, Aubrey, Ft. Worth; great grandchildren, Sean Evans, Shannon Evans, Graham Evans, Ali Hardman, and Nicolas Hardman; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Memorials, if desired may be made to the Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75701 or to the First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 516, Troup, TX 75789. The Family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Monday, January 10.