Walker Pierce Campbell of Covington, GA passed away on May 8, 2011 at Abbey Hospice. He was born on November 26, 1933 in Covington as the second son of the late Margaret and Pat Campbell. Walker (or “Snort” as he was affectionately known by family & friends) graduated from Newton County High School in 1952, where he was a football player for the Rams and was an Eagle Scout. He went to Georgia Institute of Technology, returning home in 1955 to manage Campbell Lumber Company for his father and raise his young family. He continued his studies, and in 1965 received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Management from Georgia Tech, where he was also a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. After receiving his degree, Walker began a long and successful career in the Fire Protection Industry, first with Factory Mutual Insurance, then with Automatic Sprinkler Corporation of America. In 1976 he was made Vice President of European Operations, and lived with his wife and children in England. He then became VP of the Southeast Region and returned to his native Covington. Walker later continued his profession at Worsham Sprinkler where he retired from the corporate workforce to become a local entrepreneur in commercial and residential real estate. Walker was a founding member of the Newton County Jaycees and hosted the first charter meeting in his home as a young man. He was a member of the Covington Elks Club and a lifetime member of the Covington First United Methodist Church. Walker was active in community affairs, and in 2008 received an Exemplary Leadership Service Award from the City of Covington for his eight years as a dedicated Planning & Zoning Commissioner. He enjoyed frequent trips with his wife to the north Georgia mountains and St. Simons Island, golfing with his friends, reading, cheering his favorite sports teams, and being with his children and grandchildren. Before declining health, Walker was an avid hunter and fisherman who loved the outdoors and especially enjoyed being on the ocean or boating at Jackson Lake.
Walker is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 35 years, Rosalie Brigham Garbutt Campbell, his brother Kent Campbell, brother and sister-in-law Pat and Madelyn Campbell, and first cousin Don Smith, all of Covington; as well as sister-in-law Fran Campbell of Newnan, GA. He is also survived by mother-in-law Rosalie B. Garbutt of Dublin, GA, and sisters and brothers-in-law Robert and Janette Garbutt of Friendsville, TN, Charlie and Jane Garbutt of Dublin, and Tim and Martha Anne Medford of Vidalia. He is further survived by his six children and their spouses: Walker and Courtney Campbell, Jr. of Raleigh, NC, Claudia and William Callaway of Covington, Richard Campbell of Plano, TX, Deane Donnigan of London, England, Bill Campbell of Covington, and Erin and Jack Cay of Atlanta. Walker was the proud grandfather of nine wonderful grandchildren: Meghan Campbell of Chicago, IL, Sean Campbell of Savannah, Austin Campbell of Decatur, Grace Callaway, Catherine Campbell and Everitt Campbell of Covington, and Jack, Laura and Ivy Cay of Atlanta. Walker loved his large extended family and also leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. In addition to his parents, Mr. Campbell was preceded in death by his brother Bob Campbell of Newnan, GA.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 pm on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at the Covington First United Methodist Church on Conyers Street, with the Rev. Douglas Gilreath officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service in the church fellowship hall from 1:00 until 2:30 pm. Donations may be made to the Covington First United Methodist Church, 1113 Conyers Street, Covington, GA 30014 or to Abbey Hospice, 215 Azalea Court, Social Circle, GA 30025. Online condolences may be sent at www.wheelerfuneralhome.com. Wheeler Funeral Home, 11405 Brown Bridge Rd., Covington, Ga. 30016.
