William J Campbell

Rev. William J (Bill) Campbell, 82, went peacefully to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 30, 2022. He was born in the city of Kingston, Jamaica, West Indies. Dad grew up in the village of Gibraltar, St Ann, where he received his elementary and early church experiences. He attended high school at both Cornwall College in Montego Bay, and Kingston College in Kingston, Jamaica. Both are prominent high schools in their locations. At the age of 16, during his time in Kingston, Dad gave his life to the Lord. After graduating high school, Dad worked for the General Post Office in Kingston as a Postal Clerk. However, my father knew that God had called him to preach the Gospel. He began serving in Youth Groups, choirs, visitations, street meetings and preaching in local churches.

In 1961, Dad left for England where he worked in an Engineering factory. While there, he continued his Christian service in Moss Side Baptist Church in Manchester, England. It was here that his passion for helping people and serving God was heightened. In 1963, Dad moved to Toronto, Canada to pursue his theological training at Toronto Baptist Seminary. He received his Bachelor of Theology in 1967 and later his Bachelor of Arts from Richmond College in Toronto in 1970. During his time in Canada, Dad was very active in the community and Missionary work. He became the president of the Caribbean International Mission, whose goal was to minister to the needs of immigrants coming to Toronto. This would become a recurring theme in my father's life. While in Canada, my father met and married my mother Joan G. Sanmoogan, from Guyana, South America.

In 1970, Dad was called to his first pastorate at Beautiful Plain Baptist Church, in Binghamton N.Y. During his tenure there, the church purchased property, expanded services and started and maintained a meal program that reached the neighborhood and elderly in need. Also in 1970, I was born. Dad also developed a relationship with the State University of New York at Binghamton (Now Binghamton University) and campus ministries there. Both Dad and Mom felt the compassion and empathy for international individuals in the area. They became host parents in order to impact the lives of international students.

In 1982, Dad, Mom and I made our way to Elyria, Ohio where dad pastored Bethany Baptist Church for 16 years.  During his tenure there the church acquired property, developed a junior church and continued to serve the spiritual needs of the community. 

He has called Elyria home for the last 40 years. During his years in Elyria, he has continued to invest in the development of the community through spiritual guidance and community work. He has been involved with organizations which reflect that sense of development, such as working with Lorain County Community College to create a connection with community colleges in Jamaica, for the exchange of best practices and the cultural enrichment of both communities. He was a member of the NAACP whose purpose is the development of the African American community. He was involved with Love INC, which provided household Items and other goods to those in immediate need. Dad was involved with Buses International (now Mobile Outreach Solutions) which provides mobile clinics locally and internationally. He sat on boards and committees for community development, housing improvements, and educational advancement.

Dad also spent his time building relationships and supporting other ministries in the community.  He was a Past President of the Elyria Ministerial Alliance, which is dedicated to encouraging, strengthening and developing ministries within Elyria and Lorain County. He quickly gained the reputation of being the Pastor to Pastors. He was instrumental in the development of the Elyria Ministerial Alliance Scholarship Award, which provides scholarship assistance to recent high school graduates to continue their educational pursuits.  He also supported various ministries as an associate pastor or volunteer.

Dad’s vision and passion was to see the community come to a knowledge of and personal relationship with God. Dad felt that it was important to use whatever positive means necessary to achieve that goal. This meant that his personal mission was to encourage other preachers, community leaders or whoever was engaged in God’s work. To this end, Dad founded and was President of Gaza International Ministries, Inc. The purpose of this organization is to reach the world for Christ through 1 to 1 evangelism, discipleship, Biblical training, and mission-focused ventures. It also provides financial support to Pastors, Evangelists, Missionaries and individuals in crisis in poor communities and countries. The organization has supported various ministries and efforts. One of the main focuses has been ministry to Jamaica.  Dad wanted individuals here view Jamaica not just as a tourist entertainment destination, but a missions opportunity as well.

In 1995 Dad became a citizen of the United States of America.  He was indeed proud of that accomplishment because it gave him a greater voice to share the Gospel.

Dad continued his pastoral duties as the Associate Pastor of Full Gospel Faith Fellowship, Lorain, Ohio, from 2009 until his final days. He was deeply invested in the development of  the FGFF Rapha International Center which is a faith-based community center dedicated to providing quality childcare and health care awareness and support for those in need of assistance. It is part of the Ministry of Full Gospel Faith Fellowship Church. My dad was greatly involved in the efforts to acquire 11+ acres of land in Elyria, where the FGFF Rapha International Center can grow and expand its services to the community at large and achieve the larger vision. He told me that he saw this endeavor as the culmination of his life’s work. The Rapha Center and Full Gospel Faith Fellowship Church will be relocating to their new facilities in Elyria, OH. within the next few weeks.

My dad had a love and passion for people. He desired individuals to improve their life status. However, he did it not just for status's sake. My dad was not about his titles and showiness. However, he'd encourage you to go and achieve as much education and knowledge in pursuit of your goals and dreams. He was dedicated to the mission of loving God with all your heart, soul and mind, and loving your neighbor as yourself. He pursued this mission with dogged determination even at great personal sacrifice. When you asked how he was doing, “Excellent “was the answer. Excellence is what he desired of himself and encouraged others to pursue the same. Excellence in serving God. Excellence in loving and serving His people. You can see this pattern throughout his life.

Dad enjoyed watching football(soccer) occasionally. He enjoyed the Olympics, where he rooted for all teams Jamaica. His hobby was reading and learning. But Prayer was his passion. If he met you, he prayed for you and if you were his brother or Sister in Christ, he prayed for you even more.

He had many roles in his life: Husband, Father, Grandfather, Community Leader, Mentor, Pastor, Confidant, Champion, Prayer Warrior, Intercessor, Visionary and Friend. But the one he would want you to remember the most: Child of God. He will be missed.

Thank you to all who have shared your condolences and prayers with our family. My father had discussed donating his body to science; however, we did not have time to conclude that process. Therefore, we are holding a burial ceremony on August 15th, 2022, at 1:00 pm at Brookdale Cemetery 41600 Oberlin Elyria Rd, Elyria, Oh 44035

A public Memorial Service will be held Saturday October 15, 2022, at 5:00pm 700 Gulf Road Elyria, Ohio 44035 with the assistance of Carter Funeral Homes. This will be an opportunity to Celebrate dad's life, learn more about his passion, encourage each other and be a part of his vision and legacy.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William J Campbell, please visit our floral store.