BILL CAMPBELL

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BILL CAMPBELL

1955 - 2025

William Leslie Campbell passed away surrounded by love on January 19, 2025, following a diagnosis of ALS in October 2024.

Arriving on August 5, 1955, in Boissevain, Bill was the eldest of the three children born to Glen and Bernice (Burton) Campbell. Bill was a fourth-generation cattle and grain farmer that lived and worked the land within two miles of where he was raised for most of his life.

Bill grew up playing ball and hockey, going to school in Minto and later Boissevain, learning to farm, and showing cows in his local 4-H clubs. He received a Diploma in Agriculture from the University of Manitoba in 1975. Bill met Lauren Miller from Killarney and they married on June 24, 1978.

Bill and his father bought their first purebred Limousin in 1974, starting his 50-year journey with the breed. This included serving in many positions on the Manitoba and Canadian Limousin Association boards, travelling across Canada to exhibit or judge in various cattle shows, and enjoying fellowship with other breeders.

Bill lived his life by country values – which meant being involved and standing up for what he believed in. He acted on these beliefs by being a longtime member of Keystone Agricultural Producers as a district rep, vice-president, and later president. This also led to opportunities with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture. Bill was a strong voice that spoke with experience to mentor young farmers. He stayed true to his roots always putting family, farming, and rural life first with an emphasis on respect for all things. His heart was invested in the sustainability and viability of agriculture and the families involved. Bill was honoured to be recognized with awards of service throughout his time spent with the many sports and agricultural organizations that he participated in.

Bill was always surrounded by girls – wife Lauren, daughters Courtney and Kaitlin, and of course 200 cows. The addition of Cameron and Andrew gave him buddies to chat cattle and sports with. His grandchildren Madison, Rylee, and Charlie were the light of his later years and brought immense joy to his life. Being a Papa meant the world to him.

Bill will be forever remembered by wife, Lauren; daughter, Courtney (Andrew); daughter, Kaitlin (Cameron); grandchildren, Madison, Rylee, and Charlie; sisters Lois (Gary) and Diane (Keith); brother-in-law, Gavin (Elizabeth); as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was pre-deceased by his parents, Glen and Bernice; his in-laws, Lorne and Jessie Miller; and brother-in-law, Wayne Miller.

Bill cut a wide swath in a lot of lives, but none more than his families’. But at the core of it all, he was Bill Campbell from Minto.

As published in Brandon Sun on Feb 15, 2025