William Champion Obituary

Remembering Bill Champion, who was an “officer and a gentleman,” the last part we saw every time we were in his presence. His love of life was evident with his generous parties, his humor and his good nature. We remember the impressive discipline he had with his horses and dogs. They, as we, respected him. He was a god fearing and honorable man and we were privileged to know him and call him our friend. He passed too soon.
Dave and Linda Frank

Dear Bill - and Charlene. Such a terrific unit you made! We will miss the "Energizer Bunny" and his gallantry to family, friends and animals. Thanks for sharing so many great good times. Charlene, Ernie and Julie celebrated your life, but missed your cheer, this year at "the Little House on the Prairie". I hope they have antelope liver and onions in Heaven! Safe journey, dear friend.

I enjoyed so much having a glass of wine and a wonderful meal while listening to Bill's incredible stories. He is a great example of an American hero and I am so glad for all the help he gave Jason on in his career and choices during his life. Thank you to Charlene and Bill for good times and friendship.

Dear Mom, I am so sorry for your loss. You and Bill made a beautiful couple. Bill was a wonderful man and is missed dearly. We all love you.
Dear Bill, Not a day goes by that I don't think of you, something funny you did, some advice you shared with me or some story you told. It has been almost a year since you have passed and as I write this, I cry, for the loss of an incredible father, friend and hero.
We ALL miss you. Weston still tells me he is Pappa's cowboy every time he puts on his cowboy boots. Maddie talks about you often and says she misses you. John tells me how he admires you and what a great man you were.
We love you and miss you dearly.

Condolence From: John and Bonnie Dayhoff

Condolence: Bill, It was an honor getting to know you and being warmly accepted into your family. Although I only had a few short years with you, I cherish our times together. I got to see a cowboy at his finest and a true gentleman. A man who challenges me to be a better man without even saying a word. Now a year has past and your legacy continues. The stories and memories that I get to here from those closest to you are incredible. They are fun, exciting and every story I here seems to have something in common with the others...a message of sorts...BE GREAT. Be a great husband, be a great friend, be a great father, be a great pilot,...a hunter,...a horseman,...a person. Bill, you are a great role model, still. Your family is proof. Thanks for letting me be a part of your family.

Charlene: My condolences to you on your loss and I'd like to share my thoughts at this time. Bill, it's been forty years since first we teamed up to hunt the wily elk. It seems only yesterday we were making plans, selecting high country remote locations, packing gear, sighting our rifles, checking the weather and sharing the anticipation of the autumn get together with our buddies. For over thirty years we shared those hunts and good times together. Many memories come to mind. Of horses sliding down steep slopes, bucking and throwing some of our less experienced hunting buddies to the ground. Of riding horses belly deep in snow. Of pack horses spooked by the smell of blood and bolting. One ended upside down in a creek. No one hurt, but we had great times together. I remember those elk you did get and the one huge bull you wanted to bag, if only it would come close enough. It slipped into the trees before you could shoot. Remember the one you didn't see which Jim Wakefield shot 50 yards in front of your blind? You took a ribbing that night back in camp old friend! Were you sleeping or was that branch really blocking your view? We had fresh shrimp and steak back in camp courtesy of Baxter. He used to say they (the shrimp) slept in the bay only days before our trip! And of course, Bill, you always seemed to bring along some wine for an evening toast. Those were good times and good memories. We shared many others through parties, BBQ's, a flight to Texas and a dove hunt in Mexico; a cruise through the inland passageway of Alaska with Bill and Myrna; and more. And our last hunt together. You at 86 years old, riding a horse up the mountains at 3:30 in the morning! What a hunter! And you got one. And, of course, your love affair with Charlene. What a blessing she has been to you. I think all your friends were envious. What a pleasure to be around you both. Those times together remain ingrained in my memory and tears flow as I realize your leaving deprives me of my best friend. I'll see you a few years down the road, but don't expect me to elbow my way to the head of the line. Bill Champion was a true Officer and a Gentleman in the best meaning of those words and I'm proud to have known him and call him my friend.

Dear Bill, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for making me a part of your family. I will always treasure time spent with you, Charlene, other family and friends. Witnessing the love and respect with which you and Charlene treated each other was an inspiration. Your open heart and welcoming nature led me and so many others to feel comfortable and enjoy spending time in your home. I will always remember your wonderful stories, your generosity, and your dedication to family and friends.

It has been a year Dad since you left us. Growing up as your daughter it's hard for me to slow all the memories enough to express how much you meant to me. Spending time with you was always exciting. We went rabbit hunting from the time I could walk until you bought me the 410 to use for myself. I still have the picture of me and the first rabbit and the shot gun shell which you told me to keep for good luck. I remember you borrowing a friend's airplane and strapping me to the floor as there were no seats except for yours and doing acrobatic maneuvers. No wonder those carnival rides never seemed that scary!
These are just a few stories we had. I saw allot of changes as you aged and learned to value all your wisdom. I really appreciate how important honesty and doing the right and fair thing is with regards to people. I want you to know how much I appreciate Charlene and seeing how happy you became when she entered you life. I always look forward to being with her and the rest of the Family. We love you. Carol

When Bill was still in high school, before the military, he had already filled my early childhood with activity and love of life. The constant review of his Mother and sisters who raised me during the war years embedded the image. As a role model, he had an enormous influence on me, I must admit much greater than my Father´s. He had such clear goals and so few doubts, never subjected to uncertain decisions and plodding progress, and . . . not least, he so clearly enjoyed life, for him it was not an eternal dull struggle with trivia, it had purpose, dignity, and even beauty. That made a strong impression on a young man who, like Bill, had raised his vision above the horizon.

We have suffered a loss, but Bill will always be part of those who loved him. We are more than just family, we share something important, that loving memory.

Bill was a true friend and a wonderful Brother-in-law....You are truly missed...
The wonderful thing is that we will see each other again. We are so blessed that you were in our lives and you touched our lives in so many ways. We hope you are flying through the skies with your new wings.
Until we see you again know you are missed and truly loved.
Hugs and love, Judy and John

As Bill's grandson, I enjoyed a unique relationship with this phenomenal man. He was my role model, mentor, supporter, friend, guidance counselor, hunting buddy, and most of all...my hero. The world in general, and my life in particular, now seems dimmer without the light of Papa's good humor, clever sayings and genuine purity of heart. As a fellow Air Force officer and fighter pilot, I've always looked up to him, I try to emulate him, and I will continue to hold his example as the bar against which I measure myself in life. Thank you for the example you set in life, and the legacy you leave in death. I know we'll fly formation together someday among sunlit clouds...until then sir, help me to check six and I'll be doing "one more roll" for you here on Earth. I love you Papa.

Papa,
I miss you so much! I also know how lucky I was to be your granddaughter. The memories you helped me create are thirty years strong, but a few stand out as the best. One of my first is riding Buck. I must have been three and still remember learning all you could share about riding horses. Then it was fishing at the Cabin. You and I spent endless hours next to the lake while I riddled you with questions. I know now that your patience ran deep. Once Nana passed, we spent almost every weekend together. You truly were my best friend and mentor. I always had to “sit where you could back-hand me”; both of us knowing that was just an excuse to be close at meals. Then we had to proclaim, “them groceries sure em' good, UH HUH!!” in honor of my many birthday parties at Showbiz. I felt so loved and supported. When Brady came into our lives, you immediately recognized his strong character and gentle spirit. You gave us your blessing in marriage, supporting our endless love for each other. Every year thereafter, you were sure to mention how proud you were of our success in marriage and as parents to Corey and Caitlin. When your health started to fade and I finally decided I was ready to start my own family, I could see the joy and the sadness in your eyes. You knew how wonderful it would be to be blessed to be a great grandfather again, all the while thinking how you wouldn't be able to teach him to ride horses, shoot a gun and hunt, fish and many of your other favorite past times. But when Zander arrived and you held him, nothing but loved flowed out of you. I will never forget what an awesome man, grandfather, friend, mentor and confidant you have been to me and will always honor your memories in my life. Love, Jeannie

There are no words to capture how much Bill touched our life and that of so many others. We will miss his humor, his positive outlook, and his "famous sayings" for a very long time to come. Heaven is a better place with you in it, Bill. Love, Michele & John

I will remember Bill as a true patriot; a man who loved and proudly served his country; a loving, supportive family man who always had words of encouragement; a generous and gracious host to anyone who visited his home. I cherish the times listening about his childhood and the exciting times of his military career. Just being in the same room with Bill, one would feel admiration and respect for this great man. I miss you Bill! What great memories you left us.

Note to my sweet Dad: You were the kindest, most loving, nurturing, and supportive father a girl could ever hope for. You will always be the epitome of the perfect man in my mind and will always be my hero. Through example, you taught me truth, honesty, integrity and the ability to love unconditionally. Growing up, you were always there for me and even when we were physically apart, I felt your presence and heard your wisdom. It remains like that today, sweet Dad. I know you are with me in all I do and from that I gain the strength and courage to embrace all that life brings and take on new and exciting challenges. Scan the skies Daddy; you'll see me up there flying these days. Jump in if you're not busy; help me become an amazing pilot like you and my dear son. One day we will all fly sorties together, leaving the earth behind and exploring the heavens! Your loving daughter Sue

Bill Champion represented all that is good in this country, and there are not enough adjectives or accolades we can give that can describe how much we loved the man.
He had that twinkle in his eye, his irresistible smile, the fun, loving, generous, good nature of a person who radiated warmth and he knew who he was. He was a modest role model to all who knew him and his love for his country was undeniable. He lived an honorable and good life. We will miss him forever.
Linda and Dave Frank

Bill was a loving, kind and generous man. He always warmly welcomed family and friends into his home. We are blessed to have him as a part of our family. There are too many memories to count of our wonderful times spent together over the years as well as the stories he has told. We definately feel a void in our lives without him here. He was a man we admired, respected and learned a lot from. There was always joy and laughter when he was in your company. He will be truly missed.

Wow, Bill was quite a man! Bill loved his family and welcomed us all into his heart and home. Bill was a man of integrity and values that believed in family, country and God and would do anything in his power for them. He touched each of our lives and gave us a lifetime full of examples and goals worthy to strive for and live by so his legacy may live on within us and through us!
Bill, you have been and will be truly missed by anyone who has called you family or friend! Knowing you are in heaven in God's embrace gives us peace and comfort until we see each other again. Thank you for loving Mom/Grandma with all your heart and for loving all of us! We were blessed to have you as a part of our family! Thank you for everything Bill!
With all our love, Rob, Debbie, Ben, Becky and Brett Porter

Bill was very proud to have his grandson Jason following in his footsteps as a fighter pilot.

The 22 and 1/2 years we were married were the happiest years of my life. We loved each other dearly and Bill loved life. We enjoyed riding horses, dancing and entertaining family and friends. Bill was my angel and I miss him terribly. He was a true Officer and Gentleman. Bill was a thoughful, sweet husband and a wonderful friend. I adored Bill and he truly was the love of my life. Till we meet again my angel. Love always, "Baby Blue" as you affectionately called me. I miss you!

Bill:
You were so much fun with the boys in Cardiac Rehab at the "Y". Now you are flying free......
Nurse Judy

Bill, we loved you. Charlene, we love you. Bill was always an inspiration, just a perfect gentleman and a pleasure to be with. Neil & Bobby Bennett

Our hearts are saddened by the loss of this truly cherished friend. Charlene our thoughts and prayers are with you and thank you for the beautiful words of rememberance and honor you have given to him. I met Bill in 1985 and shared many hours and miles of trails of horseback riding with him on Buttons and Red Cloud - forgive me Bill if I have their names wrong. Bill was a wonderful man and our lives have been greatly enriched in knowing him. He was an Officer and a Gentleman extrodinaire and he will be missed Dr Lynn and ColRet. Jack Harris

We want to express our sympathy to Bill's entire family. We were neighbors on North Chelton Road, years ago. Our son was his paper carrier at that time. Carolyn, Don, Dwayne Bauman and family now living in Tunas, Mo.

We served in OPs at the 482nd FIS, Goldsboro, NC, together in the late 1950s. He use to love to rag me about 'believing' in Flying Saucers...a current fad in those days.

I now run the 482nd webpage, and for the survivors who knew Bill and know there was not a better man in the Air Force ... I wish to offer sincerest condolences to his family from the surviving 482nd members (about half). He was the most pleasant of men and almost always kept a smile in place.

God Bless his family...so sorry.