Golden Camper

Golden Willie Camper, 96, was born in Vienna, Maryland to Lou Emma Camper and Ira Miles on October 3, 1918. He departed this life on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at his home in Laurel, DE. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, elder, and friend. He was raised by his aunt and uncle, Elsie and Ollie Camper and attended schools in Dorchester County, Maryland. He was known for his gentle and quiet personality. His solid confidence and faith in God caused him to be recognized as a man of strength and courage. He was a Godly example to the young and the old, and everyone who was blessed to be in his presence left feeling loved and uplifted. His words of wisdom, however few, and his numerous comical sayings blessed many. Elder Camper drove truck for Cargill’s Trucking Company for 30+ years. He was known as a kind, honest, hard-working man whose word was his bond. Anyone who knew him even slightly, would comment on his integrity and his gentleness whenever his name was mentioned. He also was employed by UDBC as a custodian for the church and the Bible Center Christian Academy. He was married to Catherine Palmer on August 29, 1953. “Honey” as he was affectionately called, was devoted to his wife. They enjoyed 61 years of blissful marriage. In addition to his five older children, four children were born to this union. Elder Camper was a faithful deacon at the National Church of God in East New Market, MD for many years. He was a member of the Victorious Gospel Singers and served as a Sunday School superintendent, as well as in many other capacities. Years later, when the family moved to Laurel, DE, Elder Camper became a member of The First Church of Deliverance, under the leadership of the late Hilton and Hattie Mae Palmer. There he supported the ministry in many of the same areas, as well as janitor, which he did faithfully and with great pride. When the Lord led Apostle Camper to start a work in the town of Laurel, Elder Camper was her greatest supporter and encourager. In 1978, Elder Camper was at her side as she held the first service of the United Deliverance Bible Center. He was still a deacon until he was ordained as an elder in 1998. Elder Camper has made many accomplishments and received several awards and honors throughout his life. One was a trucker’s award for being an excellent and safety-conscious driver for over 30 years. After being a student of the United Deliverance Bible Center Institute for many years, he received a honorary Bachelor of Theology degree on September 28, 2014. This was one of his proudest moments. Everything Elder Camper did was done with an spirit of excellence. He leaves to cherish his wonderful memories: Catherine Camper, his loving wife; four sons; Robert (Frances) Camper of Sharptown, MD; William F. (Margaret) Collins, Sr., of Rhodesdale, MD; Russell (Lori) Camper of Williamsburg, VA; Kendall (Rochelle) Camper of Laurel, DE: four daughters; Elsie (James) Combs of Dover, DE; Delores Harris of Townsend, DE; Carla (Keith) Wongus of Laurel, DE; Melissa Camper-Gomes (Bernard) of Orlando, FL. Thirty-one grandchildren; a host of great and great-great grandchildren and God-children, three brothers-in-law, four sisters-in-law; and a host of other relatives, Bible Center family, and friends. He was preceded in death by his son, Raymond Camper; his daughter, Karen White; his grandson, Raymond Jr. and his son-in-law, Theodore Harris. Apostle Camper and the rest of the family extends a special thanks to Kendall Camper, Keith Wongus, Jr. and Priscilla Peyton, his nurse, for their untiring care of Elder Camper during his brief illness. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Golden Camper, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Golden Camper

October 3, 1918 - December 17, 2014