William Russell Campbell

William Russell “Russ” Campbell, 79, departed on his last flight with the destination of the heavenly skies on October 4, 2025, after an aggressive four-month battle with bile duct cancer. Russ was born on September 19, 1946, to William “Bill” Claude Campbell and Billie Merle Walker Campbell, and was the youngest sibling to Jeanne Cole (Sam) and Charles Campbell (Sharon). He was born in Sulfur, Oklahoma and was a football star for Miami High School. He met the love of his life Susan Hicks, at a church camp, married on July 28, 1967, and recently celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary. They welcomed their only daughter Tiffany Ann Campbell into the family in July 1975 and son-in-law Carl Tisdale when the two married in December 1996. The favorite (and only) grandchildren, Logan and Emma Tisdale were Grandpa’s pride and joy, and he would brag about them constantly. There were not many times when you did not see Grandpa at a sporting event, July 4th celebration (including joining the land parade regardless of him registering), water ski show or just around town helping friends and neighbors.

Russ graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a bachelor’s degree in finance and was awarded the Wall Street Journal Award for Outstanding Finance Student. His planned future path was to attend medical school; however, one dilemma occurred, and he quickly found a love for airplanes while managing the small single runway in Norman, OK. The rest was history as Russ enrolled in the Navy in 1969 as an officer with the goal of being a fighter pilot. He quickly received the call sign of “Sugar Bear” due to his love of sweets. Russ devoted the next twenty years to military life and was stationed in Virginia Beach, Pensacola, Mayport, and Kingsville with several six-month services out in the ocean on aircraft carriers. He initially was active duty as an F-14 Pilot, RA-5C Pilot, NATOPs and the Airwing Landing Signal Officer. Russ served in the Vietnam War and then moved on to his next assignment of Instructor Pilot and Operations & Maintenance Office and received the Achievement Medal. He continued to progress in the Navy as a Carrier Group Warfare Officer and was engaged in the Libyan Operations. Russ’s last few years in the Navy led to him leading the VT-22 squadron as Commanding Officer. Russ retired from the Navy in June 1989.

Next came commercial airlines and the one-way trip to reside in Tega Cay, South Carolina for the next thirty-six years. Russ was hired by Piedmont Airlines (aka US Air, US Airways, American Airlines) and was a first officer and flight engineer for several of the aircraft (A320/A319, B737-200, B727-200). After being furloughed during the airline’s financial troubles, Russ was able to join United Airlines in January 1996 and flew with them for ten years. He then returned to American Airlines and was flying the friendly skies the day our country was attacked, leading him to want to protect us even more in the skies.

Russ officially retired from flying at the age of sixty, due to the FAA age requirement at the time. He knew he was not done so he landed a job with American Airlines as the flight school simulator instructor and worked until the company decided to relocate the function to Texas.

Although Russ had a passion for flying, his biggest love was for his family and friends. He never met a stranger, often sharing how he would sign autographs as Steve Martin for senior citizen passengers who swore he was the celebrity. Throughout the years Russ was always a sports enthusiast, whether snow skiing, water skiing, jet skiing, boating, scuba diving, armory, clay shooting, working out at “The Planet” (Planet Fitness) or his most favorite sport of racquetball until the knees said no more. He would meet his friends at Starbucks for a hot chocolate and chess game to keep competitions alive. He would never miss watching his Oklahoma Sooners play football, whether good or bad. Russ spent many of his years in support of the Fort Mill High School activities, first as a band parent when Tiffany was in high school and later supporting Logan (track) and Emma (softball). He then became a college softball addict as his Oklahoma Sooners continued to be top notch and rule the softball championships but also with Emma beginning her D1 softball career with University of North Carolina Charlotte. Russ kept his afternoons busy with his gymnastic elementary school buddies in driving them from Fort Mill schools to afterschool care.

We are so proud of Russ for his accomplishments, his community service including volunteering for the Tega Cay Volunteer Fire Department (and winning volunteer of the year twice), military service and intense love of our country. We will miss his dad jokes, “tinkering” on broken objects or anything needing review of a manual, his gadgets including deer prevention (which he lost to daily), his very dedicated Trump support (visuals on his truck), reconcilement of grocery store fuel points and countless other things that kept us smiling.

A “Sugar Bear Show and Tell” informal drop in (in lieu of a memorial service) will be held at the Tega Cay Beach Club at 4088 Beach Club Lane, Tega Cay, SC 29708 on Saturday, October 11 th from 10am to 12pm. Please wear an outfit that reminds you of Russ – Hawaiian shirt, Oklahoma Sooners, Fort Mill High School support, military or fire department, Trump/USA or anything else that makes you think of him.

In lieu of flowers or food please donate to a non-profit or charity of your choice. Russ’s top picks would be the Tega Cay Volunteer Fire Department (7200 Tega Cay Drive, Tega Cay, SC 29708) or the Carolina Show Ski Team.