Willie Lee Campbell

Mr. Willie Lee Campbell departed this life on Friday, March 14, 2014 at Kairos Dwelling. He was born on July 29, 1947 in Inverness, MS, the son of Henretta and Robert Campbell Sr. Willie moved to Kalamazoo, MI in 1957. He was a graduate of Central High School and served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Willie began his civilian career at the United States Postal Service and continued with the City of Kalamazoo where he facilitated many community programs and was instrumental in developing programs for the Northside of Kalamazoo. He enjoyed coaching baseball and volunteered with the Little League Baseball Association for several years. In 1972, he was united in marriage to his wife of 41 years, Sadie (Pippin) Campbell. He accepted Christ under the leadership of Pastor Mary Stewart of Temple Bethel House of God. Willie was known for having many talents. He was an historian – he would accurately recall the facts and the dates of any event! He was a sports commentator – describing the plays of the games with true passion, especially while supporting all of his Detroit teams. He was an entertainer – he loved to dance and had his own signature dance move that his grandkids named “The Willie Dance”. But most importantly, he was Grandpa Willie – who picked up the kids from school, took them to where they needed to go, provided childcare, told them stories and made them laugh. Willie was preceded in death by his parents, Henretta and Robert Campbell, Sr., and a sister, Emma Jean Campbell. Willie leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Sadie Campbell; son, Anthony (Monica) Campbell, daughter, Felicia (Robert) Cole; four grandchildren, Janice and Sade Campbell, Shàna and Robert Cole Jr.; two great-grandchildren, Khamanni Boyd and Zariyah Pratt all of Kalamazoo; two brothers Robert Campbell Jr. of Kalamazoo, Larry Campbell of Battle Creek; six sisters, Mary Helen Campbell, Mamie Campbell, and Loretta Campbell Bates all of Kalamazoo, Rachel Campbell of Minnesota, Barbara Covington of Georgia, and Rebecca (Randy) Campbell Spaulding of Florida; two special aunts Mary Stredrick and Doretha Nash of Illinois, two brother-in-laws James (Pauline) Pippin and Otha (Cheryl) Pippin, along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Willie Lee Campbell

July 29, 1947 - March 14, 2014