Col. William Lambert Campen, USAF (Ret.) found his eternal peace on May 16, 2025 where he was welcomed into the arms of our Lord and his beloved wife Margaret. He was 89 years old.
The youngest of 10 children, Bill was a farm boy from Monticello, MO. He met Margaret Ashburn, a country girl from Bonne Terre, MO on a blind date in St. Louis in 1962. They married in April 1963 and started a family. They raised three daughters Natalie, Ellen and Katie. Together, they built a life full of love, laughter, bad puns, and strong values.
Bill spent 35 years proudly serving our nation in the United States Air Force, Reserves and Missouri Air National Guard. He enlisted in the Air Force in December 1955 and his active duty service included a stint as a drill instructor at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas. Bill achieved the rank of Colonel in 1986 and retired in December 1990.
During his career, Bill was responsible for training radar technicians across the country and around the world. He was the Director of Operations for the 157th Tactical Air Control Group Headquartered at Jefferson Barracks, MO. In that role, he commanded three Tactical Control Squadrons, seven Tactical Control Flights in six states.Those units deployed to Denmark, Norway, Scotland and Spain to control Air Force fighter jets and refueling tankers during training exercises His job was to ensure the readiness of those units.
Bill’s military colleagues became cherished friends and he enjoyed visiting with them and reminiscing about trips overseas and adventures during annual training they affectionately called “summer camp.” After retirement, Bill spent time at Jefferson Barracks helping with a project to research and preserve the history of JB.
Bill’s service did not stop with the military. He was an active member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in South St. Louis County for decades. Bill was the chief cook and organizer for the monthly United Methodist Men’s breakfast. He often enlisted his daughters to help with set up and always invited men to come enjoy the breakfast, especially those who were not members of the church. After he and Margaret moved to Moscow Mills, MO in 2006 Bill helped run the church community food pantry, using his military leadership and organizational skills to grow the ministry. For many years, he coached girl’s softball at St. Francis of Assisi while his youngest daughter Katie played on the team.
Bill Campen was born in Monticello, MO in 1935, the youngest of Carl and Leona Campen’s 10 children. Like most rural families during the depression, everyone worked to raise crops and livestock to feed the family. It was not an easy life, but it was a good life.
Bill was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 54 years Margaret Anne (Ashburn) Campen, his parents, and nine siblings, as well as several nieces and nephews.
He is survived by daughters Natalie Campen (Vincent Creel), Ellen Campen, Kathleen Christ (Matthew), grandchildren Jed Creel, Christina Christ, Faith Christ, six great grandchildren and with numerous nieces and nephews.
Services: Funeral at Kutis South County Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Road Friday, May 23, 2025, at 11am. Interment Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. Visitation Thursday 5-7pm. Memorial contributions to Wreaths Across America, appreciated.
Ellen, I am sorry for your loss. I know your father meant a lot to you. you are in my thoughts and prayers.
I knew Col Campen while assigned to the 157th. He was such a kind and caring person. He spread good vibes and compassion among everyone.
I know he always looked forward to visiting with his daughters and would always come home with stories of how their visits went.
Col Campen was a very compassionate leader, my mentor and friend – despite his bad jokes. He was a surrogate father to me and the most honorable man I’ve ever known.
I will forever miss him and our talks about Cardinal baseball.
Col Campen was my favorite supervisor after working in the government for forty seven years. He was a wonderful mentor of mine.
To the Col Campen family, I’m sorry for your loss.
Colonel Campen was a Leader and a friend.
He made a lasting impact many people for many years…
He was the consummate Leader and Patriot.
Bill will be Remembered as the consummate Citizen Soldier, Husband, Family Man and Friend to all he met…
May He Rest in Peace !
I first met Col Campen in 1971 when joining the MoANG. He has been a dear and
good friend all the years since. Col Campen has always been held in high
esteem by all who knew him, both by those in the 157 TCG headqquaters, and all
those in susbordinate units. He always had high morals and great integrity.
Col Campen will be missed and remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
I had the honor of serving with Bill for 20 years in the National Guard, He was the kindest leader and mentor to many of our troops. He was truly looked up to by everyone in our unit and is greatly remembered.
Katie sorry for your loss. Your father lived a full and fun life. I hope we all get to do the same.
Condolences to the family. He was such an inspirational man whose love for family and country directed his life. We are so blessed that God placed him and Margaret in our path, and we hold on to the promise of seeing them again in our eternal home.
Natalie, Ellen and Katie:
We are so sorry about your loss. Your father was an amazing man who accomplished so much, most notably, the three of you. He will be missed. In his honor, we are going to root for the Cardinals to finish in one of the top 2 spots in their division. (Who else is in that division?) Sending you love and continued prayers.
Lori Beth and Terry
Our family was Blessed to have Bill become part of our family’s life in 1969 when he swore me in to MoANG. His mentorship & wise Christian Fellowship soon transcended many facets of our family life. He was kind. He was praiseworthy and commendable of what a man should be. I never heard him use bad language or say unkind things of his fellow man. The best compliment for a person like Bill – the world would be a better place if it had more people like BILL.
To the family of Col Campen. I am so very sorry for your loss. I am so thankful to get to you know the Col. through the many stories provided from my dear friend Katie. May God continue to bless each of you and as time passes by the memories will live forever.