William Champion

William R. Champion, 86, of Iron Mountain, passed away on May 31, 2011, at the Oscar G. Johnson V.A. Medical Center in Iron Mountain. Bill was born on Aug. 14, 1924, in Iron River, son of the late Herbert and Verna (Snowdon) Champion. He was a graduate of Iron Mountain High School. Bill served during World War II with the U.S Marine Corp. in the Pacific Theatre of Operations from 1943-1946. He received the Purple Heart for wounds received in the Marshall Islands. Bill received various other medals and campaign ribbons during his overseas military service. He married the former Dolores Franklin on Dec. 21, 1947, at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain. Bill worked for Niagara of Wisconsin/Pentair/Kimberly-Clark for 36 years, retiring in 1986. He was an active member of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the Uren-Cooper-Johnson American Legion Post 50, the Military Order of the Purple Heart (past state commander), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). Bill's hobby was volunteering. He volunteered over 3,500 hours at the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center and thousands more hours for his church, the Office of Veterans Affairs and other local organizations. He enjoyed hunting and especially loved spending time at the family camp. Bill is survived by his wife, Dolores; three sons, Stephen (Jill) Champion of Kingsford, David (Debbie) Champion of Gladstone and Christopher (Carrie) Champion of Kingsford; a sister, Louisa Larson of Racine, Wis.; grandchildren, Lisa (Dustin) Kimball, Paul Champion, Mike (Emily) Champion, Kristin Champion, Scott Champion, Lacey and Lucas Setner, and Lauren Champion; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Alice Giachino and Joyce Soderberg; a brother, Gale Champion; and a great-granddaughter, Lila Kimball. Visitation will be Saturday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon at Mt. Olive Lutheran Church in Iron Mountain. Memorial services will be Saturday at 12 noon at the church. Pastor Ronald Zindler will officiate. In lieu of flowers, a memorial will be established in Bill's memory to his favorite charities. Condolences to the family of William Champion may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

William Champion

May 31, 1925 - May 31, 2011