Obituaries: William Matthew Campbell, 1936, Winn Parish, LA
Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483
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From: January 16, 1936 Winn Parish Enterprise

Former State Fire Marshal Is Buried Here

Funeral Services Held Tuesday For W. M. Campbell

by Judge R. W. Oglesby

William Matthew Campbell was born at Bolivar, Tennessee on the 12th day of
November, 1878, of the marriage of Thomas P. and Eugenia Stone Campbell and
died at New Orleans January 13, 1936, of acute nephritis.

Mr. Campbell came to Winnfield in 1907 and entered the fire insurance
business.  Being of an inquiring mind he made a deep study of the business and
in a short time became very proficient in its intricacies, his abilities being
recognized by the insurance people of the state.  Governor Sanders appointed
him as a member of the State Fire Rating Board and he moved to New Orleans in
1911 where he has lived ever since.

In 1916, Governor Pleasant made him State Fire Marshal in which position he
served four years.  Retiring from that position he entered the insurance
business in which he served until Governor Allen made him chief clerk and
executive officer of the Louisiana Insurance Commission which position he held
at the time of his death.

In 1911 he was married to Miss Ella Peters of Winnfield who, with two sons,
Stacy and William M., survive him.

Last October he was called to Bolivar, Tennessee, to attend the illness and
death of his mother who had lived there during her married life of sixty
years.  Her husband and all five of their children were at her bedside when
she passed away.  

He was a member of the Methodist Church, a Mason, and took an active interest
in all civic affairs.  He was generous, kind and considerate and during his
long residence in New Orleans was known and loved by a large circle of friends
of low and high degree as attested to by many large and costly floral
offerings.

Being conscious almost to the last breath and knowing that the end was near he
calls his wife and children to his side and taking their hands in his bestowed
upon them the blessing of a father and husband who had been true to his trust.
He even sent farewell messages to his friends who did not know that he was
even sick much less at the brink of eternity, so swift and deadly was the
fatal attack.

His passing has left a void in the home and among his friends and associates. 
At his request his remains were brought back to Winnfield for burial arriving
on the Hustler on the morning of the 14th and the funeral was held at the home
of his brother in law, John J. Peters, conducted by the Revs. W. K. Dodson,
Alwin Stokes, and B. C. Land, after which they were deposited in the Winnfield
Cemetery with Masonic honors.

Besides his wife and two sons, he is survived by his father, T. J. Campbell,
two brothers, Tom and John Campbell, and two sisters, Mrs. Nina Savage of
bolivar, Tenn., and Mrs. D. W. Kelly of Oak Grove.