“Be friendly to everyone. Those who deserve it the least need it the most.” Bill Champion was an iconic ‘people person.’ He had friends from all walks of life and was always the first to strike up a conversation. To know Bill was to have a friend.
Characterized by his outgoing nature, Bill Champion, longtime Mansfield resident, passed away Thursday, January 16, 2014 in MedCentral Shelby Hospital from apparent emergency surgery complications. He was 63.
William Eugene Champion was born January 2, 1951 in Shelby the 3rd child to parents Elmer and Marie (Petersen) Champion. He attended Shelby High School and afterwards immediately joined the Marines to proudly serve his country. After returning from Vietnam, Bill married Paula K. Chapman and together they had a daughter, Jacqueline. After 7 years of marriage, Bill and Paula decided they were better as friends and remained close until she passed away.
On December 3, 1979 he stumbled upon a young mother waiting at a bus station in the cold, young son it tow. Instead of pestering Grace for a date at a bar like others did, he asked if he could buy little Jason some hot cocoa. From that moment on the two were inseparable and Bill made it his mission to make Grace happy. He brought home flowers “just because,” when they had a spat he wrote her love letters, he would follow her anywhere with a smile. That was Bill.
He took pride in his work as a cashier at Video Visions and his co-workers were really more like family. Bill loved people. He could hardly run an errand without bumping into half a dozen friends. Upon arriving home he was warmly greeted by his pack of dogs and he greatly loved each and every one of them.
Never without a baseball cap, Bill was always the life of the party. In spare time he enjoyed watching wrestling on TV and spending time with his family. Many kids beyond his biological ones referred to Bill strictly as “Dad” and he treated them like his own.
Bill was a member of American Legion Post # 16 in Mansfield.
In addition to his loving wife and best friend, Grace Champion of Mansfield whom he finally convinced to marry him on their 25th anniversary, December 3, 2004, he is survived by 5 children and 10 grandchildren: daughter Jackie (B.J.) Champion of Mansfield and her kids Morrigan and Lillian; son Jason (Alyssa) Knasinski of Columbus and his kids Kayla, Jaden, Kolton, & Aubrianna; daughter Kim (Rontrell) Rucker of Mansfield and her kids Alexiz, Aliece, Viviana, & Rontrell II; daughter Kelly (Kenny Bister) Champion of Mansfield; son Josh (Janelle) Champion of Mansfield; 6 siblings: Mary Champion, Ida (Ed) Albright, Jim Champion, Linda Turner, Rodney (Janice) Champion, and Beverly Champion; honorary aunts to his children: Joyce Price and Vera Champion; extra special friends: Jake West, Keith “Beep” Corwin, and Gary Hipsher; the Video Visions family; numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and too many friends to count.
In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by 2 grandchildren: Ian Champion and Jenna Knasinski.
The family will receive friends 1:30-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2014 in the Finefrock Chapel of the Marion Avenue Snyder Funeral Home where his funeral service will immediately follow at 3:30 p.m. Rev. Gary Adkins will officiate and military honors will follow at the funeral home performed by Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail.
Contributions in Bill’s memory to the family to assist with funeral expenses (please make checks payable to Grace Champion) may be made at the funeral home.
Snyder Funeral Homes is honored to serve Bill’s family and private messages to them may be sent at: SnyderFuneralHomes.com
