Williams Paul Camp, Jr. (Bill) passed away at the age of 76 on September 1, 2023. Born and raised in Bakersfield, CA to parents Williams Paul Camp, Sr. and Dorothy Mildred McKnight Camp, Bill went on to join the U.S. Navy where he was stationed on Midway Island. He served from 1965-1967 and was a very proud veteran, continuing his daily ritual of displaying the United States Flag. As an avid motorcycle rider and enthusiast, Bill was a supporter of the Patriot Guard Riders and attended many PGR rides and dedications on his motorcycle over the years.
Bill’s passion was the newspaper business. He worked his way up from rolling newspapers to owning and operating a newspaper business, eventually retiring from the Oakdale Leader in 2008. It’s no surprise that he was an accomplished storyteller, often amazing others with his knowledge on a wide range of topics and sharing his many experiences.
Throughout Bill’s life one could often find him out in the very community he was residing in such as Bakersfield, Manteca, Burney, Ceres, and Oakdale, as he was involved in volunteering with many groups through the years including Rotary, Veterans and the Oakdale Police Department.
Bill loved nothing more than to be in the company of his family and extended family. In 2012, Bill married the love of his life, Marietta. Having first met in 1973 when Bill was the circulation manager of the Manteca Bulletin and Marietta was hired as his office manager, the two would not find themselves reunited and in love until many years later, after keeping in touch for decades. Together, Bill and Marietta took many amazing trips including a Panama Canal Cruise and spent much time traveling thousands of miles across North America.
Some of Bill’s favorite hobbies and interests included cooking, motorcycles, photography and attending his grandkids’ activities and sporting events. Bill had a great love for concerts and music that he shared with his son Ryan throughout his life.
Bill is survived by his wife, Marietta, his son Ryan (Kim) Camp of Oakdale, his stepchildren Bradley Chamberlain of Manteca, Wesley Chamberlain of Manteca, Geno Urias of New Braunfels, Texas and Sarah Urias of Modesto; his grandchildren: Gannon Camp of Oakdale, Jack Camp of Oakdale, Zachary Chamberlain of Moraga, Landon Chamberlain of Manteca, Cooper Chamberlain of Manteca, Wayton Urias of New Braunfels, Texas and Emily Urias of New Braunfels, Texas. He is also survived by his brother Tim Camp of St. George, Utah and sister Diana (Tom) Yorkey of Bellevue, Nebraska
P.L. Fry & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the Camp Family. There will not be a public service, but rather a private family gathering to remember Bill.
Donations can be made in his name to Patriot Guard, Flags Over Manteca and Wounded Warriors Project. An online guestbook is available for condolences at www.plfryandson.com
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
Sept. 13, 2023
