R.I.P. Bill Campbell

This was in the news last Thursday the passing of longtime ABC 7 Chicago/WLS-TV personality Bill Campbell. Campbell was an alumni of both Harlan High School and Bennett Elementary School. He was 70, back in 2017 it was noted in the press then that he had suffered a stroke and there was a GoFundMe established to support his convalescence at the time.

He is noted as an alum of Bennett School even in the comments section to this post by Robert Feder and in some fb groups for Bennett-Shedd.

Bill Campbell, who served as director of editorials and community services over a 32-year career at ABC-owned WLS-Channel 7, was best known for his long run as host and producer of the weekly public affairs show “Chicagoing.”

The longtime Evanston resident died Wednesday at a Symphony Care Network nursing home in Chicago after a long illness, according to his family. He was 70.

Friends generated a GoFundMe page to help defray medical costs after Campbell suffered a stroke in 2017.

Born on Chicago’s South Side, Campbell was the son of a chemist father and visual artist mother. After graduating from John Marshall Harlan High School and Carleton College in Minnesota, he worked as a staff assistant to the administrative assistant to Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley and director of communications for the Chicago Urban League.

He joined ABC 7 in 1978 and spent his first 10 years at the station writing and delivering on-air editorials — expressing the views of station management on critical issues of the day — which he taped on location.

It's possible that I've seen a Campbell editorial back in the day, however, there's a good chance being very young that I wouldn't be in tune with whatever he was discussing. However, if you've never seen a TV editorial here's one where he discusses the issue of hunger back in 1983 [VIDEO]

Some comments from a former principal at Bennett-Shedd Mr. John McCormick:

I recall speaking with him and inviting him to speak to the students at Bennett. I do recall his appearance but I am not certain whether it was for an 8th grade graduation, a Black History month program, or possibly a Harold Washington Cultural Center affair at Bennett. I remember him as a personable, caring professional who had a genuine interest in education, particularly at Bennett-Shedd School. I know that his message was well received by our students. This would have occurred between 1989-1995.

Bill Campbell was well respected as a journalist and TV personality throughout his career. He made us proud that Bennett played a role in his formative years. He was a wonderful role model for all of us.

Here's a report from his former employers at WLS-TV noting his passing [VIDEO]

Condolences to Campbell's family. 

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