Charles Arthur Bias, Sr. of Mansfield, passed away unexpectedly at home on April 9, 2026, at the age of 88. Though his passing was sudden, the life he lived was steady, purposeful, and full of meaning.
Born on November 8, 1937, in the small town of Henlawson, West Virginia, he was the son of Dewey Obra and Lora (Osborn) Bias, one of thirteen children. From those early days, Charles learned the importance of family, hard work, and perseverance. Raised in the Appalachian hills of West Virginia, he developed a resilience and work ethic that became the cornerstone of his character. Charles carried the lessons of his humble beginnings with quiet pride, lessons he passed on generously to his children and grandchildren, who carry his voice and values forward.
Charles earned his GED and went on to receive an associate degree in Tool and Die Technology. He dedicated 32 years of skilled work as a Tool and Die Maker with General Motors, where his precision and commitment to doing things the right way earned the respect of those around him. He often said, “Do it right or don’t do it at all,” and he lived by those words.
Beyond his work, Charles was a man of remarkable creativity and talent. A self-taught musician, he played the guitar, banjo, and mandolin by ear, guided by a natural sense of rhythm and a deep love for music. He was also an artist, expressing himself through pencil drawings and paintings, and a craftsman who found joy in making and restoring furniture and appliances. Charles built and finished clocks and home furniture. He designed and built a bassinet that cradled three generations of his family’s babies over more than 40 years.
Though he was a perfectionist in his work, Charles was simple in his pleasures. He had a well-known weakness for ice cream and fudge, but most especially fried chicken.
Charles loved children and possessed a rare and gentle gift: an uncanny ability to calm others. Babies, in particular, seemed to sense his warmth. A crying child placed in his arms would often calm down within minutes, comforted by his quiet presence. He will be remembered as a devoted family-man who loved God and had a heart for music.
He is survived by his children Karen Ann Bias, Charles A. Bias Jr. (Kathleen), Terry Michael (Jona Lynn) Bias, Keith McIntyre and Sam and PJ Bias, Richard (Victoria) Berger, Julie Sword, and Suzanne (Robert) Meister; grandchildren Nathan and Adam Bias, Nichole Mikolic, Melanie Hacker, Jennifer Frazee, Joshua Frazee, Kory Howell and Kris Howell; great grandchildren Lou Bias, Grace Thompson, Madison Thompson, Gia Brown, Grace McCoy, Arden McCoy, and Jayce McCoy; siblings Diana Heidenreich, Sandra Carroll, Sheri Binkert and Ronnie Bias; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family.
Along with his parents he was preceded in death by his 1st wife Linda McIntyre (3 yrs), 2nd wife Catherine Noreen Bias (42 years), and 3rd wife Lorretta Bias (14 Years); children Kelly Hildeman, Paula Frazee, John Ozanich, and Rick Bias; great grandson Gabriel Bias and his mother Heather Andrews-Bias; siblings Sarah Wiley, Willa Browning, Georgia Williamson, Dallas Bias, Robert Bias, Sue Albright, Janice Carnel and Don Bias.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm at Werner-Gompf Funeral Services, 1106 Park Avenue East, Mansfield, where funeral services will begin at 12:00 pm. Pastor Roy Niemann will officiate. Burial will follow in Lexington Cemetery.
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.wernergompf.com
Funeral Home: Werner-Gompf Funeral Services
Website: www.wernergompf.com