Greenfield, MA – William C. Campbell of Greenfield, MA, passed away unexpectedly on August 15, 2026. Will was creative, a lover of color, a gardener extraordinaire, a dahlia whisperer, a collector of antique wallpaper, and the proud owner of three vintage AMC cars. He was a talented housepainter, Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 3, Scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 5, a past board member of The Friends of the Great Falls Discovery Center and deeply involved in the Greenfield community he loved. Above all else, he was the beloved husband of Gina, father to Laura and Tyler, father-in-law to Thomas, and “Papa” to his first granddaughter, Birdie.
Will was born in Bellows Falls, VT, on September 21, 1959. He grew up in Saxtons River, VT, surrounded by the love of his parents, Robert M. Campbell and Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Campbell, and his ten siblings: Bobby, Lizzie, Averill, Michael (Erin), Sean (Joan), Peter, Margaret (Don), Charlie (Julie), Sarah, and Matt, along with sisters-in-law Marvie and Trudy. Will spent his childhood exploring the fields, streams, backyards, and natural beauty of small-town Vermont.
Each summer, the family gathered in Wellfleet, MA, on Gull Pond-a cherished tradition the Campbell family continues today. Will, his siblings, and friends spent endless days swimming, sailing, and reveling in the spirit of Cape Cod.
He attended Saxtons River Elementary School, The Putney Grammar School, and Bellows Falls Union High School. He went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Vermont in 1986, where he met some of his lifelong best friends.
Will never shied away from an adventure. In 1974, after visiting his sister in Antigua, he crewed aboard a sailboat in the Caribbean. He later spent a memorable summer traveling across the Soviet Union. Following college, Will lived in Aspen, Colorado, skiing nearly every day and fostering a deep love for the sport and the American West.
Gina and Will met at a ’70s costume party in Arlington VA, in 1989, introduced by Will’s brother Charlie. After four years together in Arlington, they married on October 2, 1993, at The Kennedy-Warren. Following a honeymoon in Hawaii, they settled in Greenfield, purchasing their first home on Park Street.
Laura was born in 1995, and Tyler in 1997. Will and his family spent time biking, skiing, swimming, sailing, and visiting parks and museums. Will was known for frying corn fritters on the hottest day of the year, transforming the house with inventive, colorful holiday displays, and taking Laura and Tyler on spur-of-the-moment day trips. He gave his children a life rich in exploration; Will was endlessly proud of them, and they of him.
As his children grew, Will became deeply involved in Scouting. He received the 2018 Metacomet District Merit Award and guided 12 Scouts to the rank of Eagle Scout, including his son. Through Scouting, he met Anthony Bohannan, who found both a mentor and friend in Will and became an incredibly special member of the Campbell family.
For over a decade, Will made an annual cross-country drive to Colorado and Utah to spend a month skiing, catching up with old friends, and making new ones. Will and Gina traveled often to visit Tyler and his girlfriend Brittany in Boston, as well as Laura, Thomas, and Birdie in Charleston.
This summer Will spent time in Wellfleet and Cleveland with his family and friends. When not traveling, he was at home in his garden. Will created an unbelievable Eden at their home on Highland Ave. Though it was a never-ending labor of love, this year’s garden was undeniably at its peak-vibrant, unique, and brimming with life, just as Will will always be remembered.
A celebration of life will take place on Friday October 2nd at 4PM at The Farm Table in Bernardston, MA.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in support of Boy Scout Troop 5, to Friends of Camp Avery c/o Chris Fontaine, 218 Log Plain Road, Greenfield, MA 01301, The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts 25 Carew St. Chicopee, MA 01020 and Mount Grace Land Trust 1461 Old Keene Rd, Athol, MA 01331
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kostanski Funeral Home.
To view the formal invitation to Will’s celebration of life, and to leave condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com
Click here to sign the guest book or honor their memory with flowers, donations, or other heartfelt tributes