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planted in memory of Rev. William T. Campion
Obituary for Rev. William T. Campion
Rev. William T. Campion, 70, of Pottsville, passed away peacefully Sunday, September
4, 2022, at Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest, Allentown, Pennsylvania. He was pastor
emeritus of Sacred Heart, Palmerton, where he served as pastor 14 years until retiring of June
2022.
He was born on October 25, 1951, in Pottsville, son of the late Madeline L. (Caslow) and
the late Leroy R. Campion. He was also a humble son of St. Patrick Church, receiving the
Sacraments and first serving his parish as an altar server. He attended St. Patrick Parochial
School and was a graduate of Nativity B.V.M. High School. He attended St. Charles Borromeo College,
Philadelphia, receiving his B.A. in 1973, continuing his priestly studies, he obtained his Master
of Divinity in 1976 from Mary Immaculate Seminary, Northampton, PA, as well as his Master
of Theology in 1977.
He was ordained to the Priesthood on 14 May 1977 by the Most Reverend Joseph M.
McShea, Bishop of Allentown, at the Cathedral of Saint Catharine of Siena, Allentown.
Upon his ordination, Rev. Campion served as Assistant Pastor at Sacred Heart Parish,
West Reading; Berks County CYO Director, Scout Regional Chaplain, Regional Vocation
Director, and Chaplin to Ancient Order of Hibernians. In 1983, Rev. Campion was transferred to
Assistant Pastor at St. Jane’s, Wilson Borough; Regional Scout Director and Regional Vocation
Director.
In 1985, Rev. Campion was named Diocesan Director of the Catholic Youth
Organization (CYO); and Professor of Theology at Nativity B.V.M. High School, Pottsville, PA.
Further, he was appointed as the first full-time Director of Youth Ministry which included
overseeing all Youth Programs other than those dealing with education. In this position, Fr.
Campion’s responsibilities encompassed CYO, Youth Retreats, Catholic Scouting, and Parish
Youth Programming for 153 Diocesan Parishes and 70 Parish and Diocesan Schools. Also, at
this time, he served as the Chaplain to the Catholic Daughters of America, and then in 1989, he
was appointed Chairperson for the Catholic Youth Council.
In 1991, he was a columnist for the Diocesan Newspaper, the A.D. Times. Further, from
1991 to 1999, Fr. Campion served as Pastor of St. Canicus & St. Fidelis Parishes in Mahanoy
City, PA, as well as Dean of Northern Schuylkill County; Diocesan Personnel Committee;
member of Marian High School Advisory Board and Finance Committee, Diocesan Teacher
Negotiation Team Member, Member of Diocesan Priest Council; and Chaplin of the Catholic
Daughters of America.
Rev. Campion was appointed Pastor of St. Anthony’s in Easton, PA, from 1999 to 2002.
From 2002 to 2008, he was assigned as Pastor of St. Jerome’s in Tamaqua, PA. Then, in 2008,
Rev. Campion was appointed Pastor of Sacred Heart in Palmerton, PA, which he served until his
June 2022 appointment as Pastor Emeritus of Sacred Heart, Palmerton.
During the course of his priestly ministry, Rev. Campion was involved in many church activities
and community organizations, including Cursillo, Marriage Encounter, Knights of Columbus,
Ancient Order of Hibernians, as well as past memberships on the National Federation of Catholic
Youth Ministry, St. Francis Center Advisory Board, Nativity H.S. Annual Fund Drive, Marian
H.S. Dinner Dance Committee, Mahanoy Area Ministerial Association (Past President),
Schuylkill County Advisory Board for Alvernia College, Chaplain for Golden Age of Easton,
Palmerton Area Ministerium-CACPA, Chaplain for State Traveler’s Protective Association,
Schuylkill County Organizing Project, Association of Schuylkill County Social Services (Vice President),
Chairperson of the Schuylkill County Priest Alumni Scholarship Fund, Board of
Directors of Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Champ Racis YMCA Committee, Schuylkill County
YMCA Board of Directors, Schuylkill County Task Force for the Elderly, and Palmerton
Chamber of Commerce.
He was an avid sports fan, who especially enjoyed watching the Philadelphia Eagles
and Notre Dame football games, as well as the Phillies baseball games.
Rev. William T. Campion is survived by his brother, Leroy R. Campion, II; and two
sisters, Mary L. Reed, wife of Richard L. Reed, Sr, and Brenda L. Churico, wife of John J.
Churico. Further, he is survived by his nephews, Richard Lee Reed, companion of Kimberly
Bowers; Michael William Reed, husband of Brianna Reed; Matthew T. Churico, husband of
Lauren Churico; and his nieces, Tammy Erskine, wife of Charles Erskine; Kathleen M. Churico,
companion of Trent Schaeffer, Madeline A. Churico; and Kelly M. Rojas, wife of Ruben Rojas.
Rev Campion is also survived by his great nephews, Derek Kreider, Jacob Guy, Chase Reed,
Liam and Axel Reed, Declan Schaeffer, Cole Churico, and Julian Rojas; and by his great nieces,
Nova Reed, Ava and Emma Churico, and Anastasia Schaeffer. His family meant the world to
him and he loved them all.
Visitation will be at St. Patrick Church, 319 Mahantongo Street, Pottsville, on Sunday,
September 11, 2022 from 5:30 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Vigil Service will be at 6:30 P.M. with
Reverend John Hutta II as Homilist.
A Visitation on Monday, September 12, 2022 will begin at 9:30 A.M. and end promptly at 10:45
A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 319
Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA on Monday, September 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m., by His
Excellency, The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Allentown. The
Homilist will be Reverend Leo Maletz Pastor Emeritus, St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish,
Minersville.
Interment will follow in Our Lady of Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Nativity B.V.M High School,
1 Lawton’s Hill, Pottsville, PA 17901 or St. Patrick’s Church, 319 Mahantongo St., Pottsville, PA,
or Sacred Heart Church, 243 Lafayette Ave., Palmerton, PA 18071-1511.
Lord-Bixler Funeral Home, Inc. is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be expressed at lordbixler.com
To plant a tree in memory of Rev. William T. Campion, visit the Tribute Store.
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