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Mr. Willis Marion “Bill” Camp, 98, formerly of 633 Washburn Switch Rd. Shelby, NC departed this life on Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at Peak Resources in Cherryville, NC. He was born on October 15, 1914 in Cleveland County, NC to the late Jerry Camp and Bessie Eskridge Camp.
Bill grew up in the Eskridge Grove community and was a graduate of Cleveland High School. He was nearly a lifelong resident of Cleveland County relocating a brief four years to Ridgewood, NJ. While working there, he was making future plans to return to his hometown by having his house built near his childhood home. He remained in this home for over 70 years. His passion was cooking which started with him working for the Charles I Dover family and spanned over time to include twenty-five years at Cleveland Country Club which he retired from in 1979. After retirement, he still enjoyed private catering. Bill was also employed with First Federal Bank for 20 years as a custodian. In addition to his work, Bill loved playing bridge which he enjoyed playing for over 60 years.
Bill was a lifelong member of Eskridge Grove Baptist Church which was founded by the help of his family. He was the oldest living member of the church at the time of his passing. Over the years he served as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, church treasurer, choir member and cemetery official. Some of his favorite quotes were “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord, “As long as it is decent and in order” and “We ought to love one another”.
Bill married the former Claudia Mae Jewel in November, 1941 and to this union, two children were born, Marian and Bill, Jr. After her untimely death in 1949, he remarried the former Emma Brown and they remained married, until her death in 1962.
In addition to his parents, and wives, he was preceded in death by a loving sister, Rosa M. Jamerson and a brother, Everette Camp.
Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Marian Ross and his son, Willis M. Camp, Jr. both of Shelby; three grandchildren, Lisa Watkins (Marvin) of Gaffney, SC, Sherry Elliott of Shelby and Rev. Willis M. Camp, III of Morganton, NC; three great-grandchildren, Mario Elliott and Andre Harbison both in the US Army stationed in Afghanistan and Claudia Elliott of Shelby; one great-great grandchild, “Deuce” and a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and nephews, many friends including his bridge playing friends.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at 2:00 PM at Eskridge Grove Baptist Church with Rev. Strickland Maddox officiating and Rev. Willis Camp, III delivering the eulogy. The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 2:00 PM at the church on Saturday and at other times at the home of his daughter, Marian Ross, 704 N. Lafayette St. Shelby, NC
Condolences can be expressed online at www.enloes.net. Enloe Mortuary is in charge of the arrangements. |
