Orville Campbell

Orville Campbell, 92 formerly of Lisbon, CT died February 14, 2025 at his home in Bluffton, SC. He was born on April 12, 1932 in Conshohocken, PA, the eldest child of Orville Restbrook Campbell and Martha Louise (Slifer) Campbell.

Orville met his beloved wife, Janet Aleatha Parry Campbell, while on leave early in his Navy career. They eloped on December 18, 1953 in Elkton, MD. They waited until after Janet finished nursing school and renewed their vows “in Our Father’s House (church)" on September 11, 1954 in Norristown, PA. She died from the virus (COVID-19) in 2021.

Orville worked in the steel mills before joining the Navy. He joined the Navy in 1950 serving for 20 years. He was a Korean War Veteran. He served on battleships and submarines as a ship’s cook. There he earned the nickname Soupy. He was a Plank Owner for the USS James Monroe and the USS Francis Scott Key. He would often say, “The Navy saved my life.” After leaving the Navy, he worked at Electric Boat in Groton, CT. He was a ship’s supervisor working on the next generation of submarines!

A lifelong member of Freemasonry, Orville joined the Key West Lodge in 1955. Later he became an active member of the Somerset Lodge in Norwich, CT. Another community endeavor was as a scoutmaster for many years at Boy Scout Troop 1 in Norwich, CT. He once led the boys on an infamous 50-mile hike on the Appalachian Trail.

In retirement, he bought a motorhome. He and his wife, along with their yorkie, Mutley, went to see America! Together, they visited the continental 48 states, Alaska and parts of Canada. They enjoyed playing golf and going to ship reunions - catching up with old friends and shipmates.

Orville is survived by his daughters, Kathy Jane Willard of Bluffton, SC and Kimberly Ann Lang of Lisbon, CT. Grandchildren: Cale Campbell, Nina Lynn Shank, Joe (Jenny) Willard, Beckham (Charlotte) Lang and Meredith Lang. Great-grandchildren: Lydia, Oliver, Jack, Coda and Henna. He is also survived by his sister Sharon (John) Fink of Conshohocken, PA and brother-in-law Robert (Carolyn) Parry of Seven Springs, PA and Falling Waters, WV, and dozens of nieces and nephews and their children.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Janet Campbell, his son Kurtis Dwayne Campbell; his four brothers: Harvey Campbell, Charles Campbell, Robert Campbell and Walter Campbell; his sisters Martha Louise Meter and Janice Rooney.

A Celebration of Life honoring Orville and Janet Campbell will be held on April 12, 2025 from 10-noon at Preston City Congregational Church, 321 RT 164, Preston, CT 06365. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St Vincent de Paul Place, Norwich, CT or the Navy Relief Fund.

St. Vincent de Paul
120 Cliff Street, Norwich CT 06360