Freedom to Marry (http://www.freedomtomarry.org/) released a video of
New Yorkers William “Bill” Campbell (November 29, 1926 - May 7, 2011) and
John Hilton telling the story of their
54-year relationship, which began just before Hilton was drafted and
sent to Europe in 1957. Campbell wrote Hilton letters throughout his deployment, and when Hilton returned and began working and going to night school, Campbell did all the cooking and laundry.
"When I was getting ready to graduate and I got my degree I told Bill he will never, ever, as long as we live, do the laundry again, and that was in 1971," Hilton said. "And so he has never, ever done the laundry since.”
After Campbell developed Parkinson's disease, Hilton described taking care of him as "payback time" for all Campbell had done for him.
Beloved and devoted partner since 1957, Bill passed away suddenly on May 7, 2011, less than two months before marriage equality was legalized in New York. Bill was loved and admired by everyone who knew him. He was born in Lone Mountain, Tennessee in 1926.
