William C. Campbell ’45

Bill Campbell died Aug. 30, 2013. One of America’s most renowned amateur golfers, Bill was the most notable sports figure in our class, rivaled only by Butch van Breda Kolff.

Bill entered Princeton from Phillips Exeter and joined Cap and Gown. His Princeton career was interrupted by service with the 100th Infantry Field Artillery, which saw combat in France and Germany. Bill was awarded the Bronze Star. Returning to Princeton he graduated in 1947 with a degree in history. He was class secretary for three years and a vice president for five. His life and career were devoted to Huntington, W.Va., where he resided for nearly all of his life and ran an insurance agency for John Hancock.

Bill was the first American to have headed both the U.S. Golf Association and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews in Scotland. He won many amateur golf championships, and played in eight Walker Cup matches, 18 Masters Tournaments, and 15 U.S. Open Championships — an extraordinary amateur record.

Bill married Joan Bradford in 1954. In addition to Joan, Bill is survived by his son, Colin ’79; daughter Victoria ’78; stepchildren Diana, Patricia, Christiane, and Bradford; 15 grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. The class expresses its sympathy to the family.