WBNOWQCT Your favorite Rock & Classics!
William “Bill” Champion, of 160 Marwood Road., Cabot, Pennsylvania, passed away on September 22, 2021. He was born August 6, 1926, to William John and Flossie (Davenport) Champion in Metamora, Ohio. He married Martha F. Close in 1957 and was her cherished husband until his death. Bill was the beloved father of Christopher and David; grandfather of Jonathon, Michael, Kevin and Laura; and had seven great-grandchildren. His is also survived by a sister, Laura Lee.
Bill was a veteran of the US Navy Band and earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Bowling Green University and the University of Michigan. He was a lifelong performer of music. His career spanned high school and collegiate education and he was a retired professor of music at Buffalo State College. Bill was the founder and leader of the Buffalo Swing Big Band for over 20 years. His band played many weddings and events in the Buffalo area and appeared in the 1984 movie “The Natural.” He was organist and choirmaster for area churches for over 50 years.
Bill’s musical talents delighted countless people over the years with his performances. As band leader and arranger, he played keyboards, vibraphone, tuba, and trombone and performed in jazz, concert, symphonic, dance, and marching bands. He and Martha built a cabin in Canada on the shores of Lake Superior and spent every summer for 61 years with their families. He was active in his church and community for many years and was loved by all who knew him.
Visitation for William “Bill” Champion will be held on Monday, September 27, 2021, from 12:00 Noon to 2:00 P.M. at Oberlin-Turnbull Funeral Home, 706 North Main Street, Hicksville. Funeral services for Bill will follow at the funeral home beginning at 2:00 P.M. with Pastor Susan Kronbach officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Home Cemetery, Hicksville.
Condolences may be sent to the family, or the online guestbook may be signed at www.oberlinturnbull.com