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BORN
1925
DIED
2025
FUNERAL HOME
William Champion Obituary
December 1, 1925 - August 15, 2025
William David Champion, age 99, passed from Life to Life on August 15, 2025, at 3:50 a.m. at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center.
A funeral service in his honor will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, located at 1200 Wabash Avenue, MATTOON, IL 61938; Pastor Dan Laack will officiate. Burial will immediately follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens in Mattoon, IL with Military Rites performed by Mattoon VFW Post 4325. A visitation will be held Friday evening, August 22, 2025, from 4 to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
David was born in Mattoon on December 1, 1925, the son of Horace Edward Champion and Mary Williams Champion. He married Marbelle June Whitley on May 26, 1945, at the First Baptist Church in Mattoon. She preceded in him death in 2004.
He is survived by two children, Wm. David Champion, Jr. of Tierra Verde, FL and Jane Orman and husband Wesley of Gays, IL.; five grandchildren, Becky (Scott) Quinlan of Rantoul, IL, Teri (Jeremy) Jordan of Jefferson, GA, Bobby (Courtnay) Orman of Windsor, IL, Phillip (Cindy) Orman of Dunlap, IL, and Marylee Orman of Gays, IL; ten great-grandchildren, Cale and Finley Jordan, Emma, Anna and Brady Quinlan, Jacque and Magnus Orman, Brenlee, Liam, and Emmalee Orman and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
He is preceded by his parents, brother Richard Champion, sister Alice Nelson and Daughter-in-law Dij Champion.
David was a veteran of the Army Air Corps and served in WWII. He maintained radar equipment on B25's in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. He was thankful to attend the Honor Flight in 2011, escorted by Dennis Ray. He spent most of his life as a grain and livestock farmer but also drove trucks for Warren Grain and Miller & Overton Trucking. Later in life he delivered school buses and was a greeter and funeral attendant for Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home.
He spent his time serving others as a 4-H leader, President of the Coles Moultrie Electric Coop Board, and Secretary/Treasurer of Soyland Power Coop. He was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church of Mattoon, and a member of the Champion Sunday School Class, and served as a head usher, a confirmation class mentor and on other numerous committees.
Raising Quarter Horses, snow and water skiing, target shooting and playing music on his keyboard were some of his many passions.
He loved many and was loved by many.
Memorials can be made to The Way Church of Fayette County, PO Box 37, Vandalia, IL 62471.
Condolences can be made at:
www.mitchell-jerdan.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Champion
Sponsored by Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home Ltd..
4 Entries
Curt Brown
August 25, 2025
Worked on David's equipment when he was farming. Heck of a nice guy and treated me with the utmost respect. My most sincere thoughts for all of his family.
Dea Greathouse
August 22, 2025
Jane and David Jr- we were Quarter horse buddies with David and Marbell back in the day and so very lucky to become friends with them! David was one of the most amazing , kindest person we ever knew. As everyone got older we looked forward to seeing him at the Coles Couty Fair with Jane and the grandkids. Seemed as though he never got older. Our prayers are with you at this time. With love , Dale and Dea Greathouse.
Don Spencer
August 21, 2025
Mr. Champion was a man who lived up to his name. I knew Mr. Champion in two capacities: 1) my grandparents both attended the same church and Sunday school as he, and 2) I worked on occasion for him in the summers bailing hay. Both conjure happy memories. I found Mr. Champion to be fair, compassionate, and God-loving. The world will be a lesser place because of his passing. God bless David Champion, and my condolences to his family.
Ron Henkelman
August 19, 2025
Sending condolences to the Champion family. I got to know Dave from my visits to see my Mom at Green Gardens Assisted Living, Sullivan. David would be entertaining us with his quick wit and singing of old-time songs.
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