William Joseph “Coach” Campbell, 79, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 9:08 p.m., surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, December 30, 2025, at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. In his last breaths, he was able to give each family member final words of wisdom. He was born on October 28, 1946, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Joseph and Esther (Baker) Campbell.
William graduated from Ashley High School in 1965; he received his undergraduate from Taylor University, ultimately earning his Master’s Degree from St. Francis College. He married Dianna Greenwood on June 16, 1968, in Auburn, Indiana, they have shared 57 and a half loving years together. William worked as a teacher, coach, and driver’s education instructor at MSD of Wabash County school corporation. He was a football, baseball, and wrestling coach for 35 years at Northfield High School, was inducted into the Indiana Wrestling Coaches Hall of Fame in 2002, and even had the Northfield wrestling deck named after him. His coaching mantra was, “Never Give Up, Never Give In, Mighty Norse, Pin To Win.” William was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church for 52 years, and enjoyed serving the church. He was a gentle, wise, and kind man, who loved giving people advice and being a mentor. William was very knowledgeable, and to the family was “technical support.” He enjoyed camping, but above all else, enjoyed spending time with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife, Dianna Campbell of Wabash; three children, Shawn (Dawn) Campbell, of Breman, Indiana, Carrie (Scottie) Pennington, and Emily (Jake) Buzzard, both of Wabash; 10 grandchildren, Abigail (Josh) Abbs, Zachary (Kylie) Campbell, Allie (Nick) Shank, Cortney (Nate) Hembree, Zac Pennington, Samuel Green, Maci (Cody Copeland) Buzzard, Kevin Buzzard, Ryker Buzzard, and Jacob (Cassandra) Fansler, and seven great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Thomas Campbell and Robert Campbell.
There will be a Celebration of William’s Life on Sunday, January 11, 2026, from 2-4:00 p.m. underneath the Campbell Deck at Northfield High School gymnasium, 154 West 200 North, Wabash. Arrangements by Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, Wabash.
Preferred memorials are Northfield Wrestling, American Heart Association, or American Diabetes Association.
The memorial guest book for William may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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