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United States Navy World War II Veteran
Martha Frances Nichols and William Spencer Campbell, Jr. were married February 21, 1943 in the First Methodist Church in Spur, Texas. Spencer was the only son of Dora and William Spencer Campbell, the sole owner and operator of Campbell Furniture and Undertaking business. My parents were Dellah and Pike Nichols. My father was physician, surgeon and owner of the Nichols Sanitarium. Later renamed Nichols´ General Hospital. Dellah was his secretary. After graduating from Texas Tech in 1936 and Dallas School of Embalming, Spencer became manager of the Campbell firm. he became co-owner in 1937, and sole owner in 1952. Spencer was very active in civic affairs. He was past president of the Spur Rotary Club, Spur School Board, and a former member of the Spur City Council. He was a member of the Spur Fire Department for 24 years, Fire Chief 12 years, a member of the Board of Stewards and Trustee of the Spur First Methodist Church; past president of the Spur Chamber of Commerce; a member of Spur American Legion Post, Spur Golf Club, president of the Golden Jubilee in 1959, and a board member of White River Municipal Water District for four years. He served four years as a director of the Texas Funeral Directors Association from the West Texas Region, then secretary-treasurer, 2nd Vice-president, and 1st Vice-president, each one year. He was President of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, Inc. in 1968-69.I attended Texas Tech and Texas Women´s University and graduated from Texas Women´s University in 1942 with a degree in Interior Design. While Spencer was involved in the business and in the many civic activities of our town, my time was spent in doing the things I loved most - being a wife and mother to our three children: Linda, Martha Ann and Bill. My hobbies are decorating and painting, and I enjoy having my children and grandchildren spend time with me here and at our cabin on White River Lake. We all enjoy boating and swimming. They make my life very special. Spencer passed away September 4, 1983 following a lengthy illness and is buried in Spur Memorial Cemetery.
Our children have written their own stories; Linda and Ron Mahan; Martha Ann and Jerry Browning, and Bill and Stacy Hoover Campbell, and have included, though probably not as a grandmother would tell it, the stories of our five grandchildren.
written by Martha CampbellSource: "Dickens County, Its Land and People", Dickens County Historical Commission, ©1986
WILLIAM SPENCER CAMPBELL JR. was born January 1, 1915, in Spur, Texas. He died on September 4, 1983, at the age of 68. He married Martha Nichols, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. P.C. Nichols, February 21, 1943, in Spur. Martha Nichols was born Feb. 10, 1917, in Peacock, TX. They have one son, Bill of Spur; two daughters, Linda Mahan of Farmington, NM and Martha Ann Browning of Roswell, NM, also five grandchildren.
Spencer was educated at Spur elementary and secondary schools and was a graduate of Texas Tech in 1936 with BBA Degree, and a graduate of the Dallas School of Embalming in 1936. Martha was educated at Spur elementary and secondary schools and attended Texas Tech University for 1 1/2 years; then graduated from T.S.C.W. (now known as Texas Women´s University) with a B.S. Degree in Interior Design.
The Campbell Funeral Home opened in Spur when the town was organized in 1909 by W.S. Campbell, Sr. Spencer Campbell acquired one-half interest and became manager in 1937, and sole owner since 1952. He retied in December, 1980, when his son, Bill became owner.
He is a Past President of the Spur Rotary Club, Spur School Board, a former member of the Spur City Council, a member of the Spur Fire Department for 24 years, Chief for 12 years, a member of the Board of Stewards and Trustee of the Spur First United Methodist Church, Past President of the Spur Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Spur American Legion Post, Spur Golf Club, and Board member of the White River Water District for 4 years. He was president of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, Inc. 1968-69.
From the records of Lillian Grace Nay
Spencer Campbell, Senior Active, married Martha Nichols, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. P.C. Nichols of Spur, on Feb. 21, 1943. They have three children, Spencer's mother, Mrs. Campbell, lives in Spur. During the 17 years of membership he has been president and director. He made his first money selling lemonade on the street in front of his home. He was brought up in the funeral home and furniture business. He watches T.V. and reads and does yard work for relaxation. He is a member of the West Texas Funeral Directors Association and a member of the board of directors of the Texas Funeral Director's Association. A member of the Girl Scout Council, and president of the Spur Chamber of Commerce, he graduated from Spur High School, Texas Tech and Dallas school of embalming.Rotary Club Biography
Services for William Spencer Campbell, Jr., 68, of Spur were held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, September 6, 1983 at First United Methodist Church with the Rev. Eddie Allsup, pastor, officiating and Rev. William McReynolds of Midland assisting.
Burial was in the Spur Memorial Cemetery under the direction of Campbell Funeral Home of Spur.
He was born January 1, 1915 in Spur and was educated in the Spur Elementary and secondary schools and a graduate of Texas Tech in 1936 with a BBA degree, and a graduate of the Dallas school of Embalming in 1936.
The Campbell Funeral Home opened in Spur when the town was organized in 1909 by W.S. Campbell, Sr. Spencer Campbell acquired one-half interest and became manager in 1937, and has been sole owner since 1952. Campbell retired in December, 1980.
He was a past president of the Spur Rotary Club, Spur School Board, and a former member of the Spur City Council; a member of the Spur Fire Department for 24 years, Chief for 12 years; a member of the Board of Stewards and Trustee of the Spur First United Methodist Church; past president of the Spur Chamber of Commerce; a member of the Spur American Legion Post; Spur Golf Club; and board member of White River Water District for four years.
Campbell served four years as a director of Texas Funeral Directors Association from the West Texas region, then secretary-treasurer, 2nd vice-president, and 1st vice-president, one each year; he was president of the Texas Funeral Directors Association, Inc. in 1968-69.
He lived in Spur all his life. He married Martha Nichols February 21, 1943 in Spur. He was a World War II Navy Veteran.
Survivors include his wife, Martha of Spur; one son, Bill Campbell, of Spur; two daughters, Linda Mahan, Farmington, NM and Martha Ann Browning of Roswell, NM; two sisters, Bonnie McAteer, Spur and Isabelle Crossman, Rowlett; and five grandchildren.
Pallbearers were Lynn Buzbee, Wilburn Ball, James Wright, Al O'Brien, J.C. McNeill, III, Bob Conner, and J.B. Morrison.
©The Texas Spur September, 1983
Transcribed by Becky Hodges, September 2004
Services for Martha Frances Campbell, 78, of Spur, were at 11 a.m. Friday, February 9, 1996 in the First United Methodist Church, Spur, with Rev. Bruce Parks and Rev. Larry Burton, officiating.Burial was in Spur Memorial Cemetery under direction of Campbell Funeral Home.
Mrs. Campbell died February 6, 1996 in St. Mary´s Hospital, Lubbock. She was born February 10, 1917 in Peacock and had lived in Spur since 1920. She married William Spencer Campbell Jr. in Spur on February 21, 1943. He preceded her in death on September 4, 1983.
Mrs. Campbell was a 1932 graduate of Spur High School. She was a homemaker and a member of the First United Methodist Church. She was also a former member of the Study Club and Home Demonstration Club. She was instrumental in the daily operation of Campbell Funeral Home for many years.
She attended Texas Tech University and Texas Womens´ University and graduated from TWU in 1942 with a degree in interior design.
She is survived by one son, Bill Campbell, Spur; two daughters, Linda Mahan, Farmington, NM and Martha Browning, Tucson, Arizona; one brother, John Nichols of Las Vegas, Nevada; five grandchildren.
©The Texas Spur, February, 1996
© Dickens County Historical Commission 1997-2022
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