William E. Champion, Sr.

WILLIAM E. CHAMPION, SR.

May 19, 1932 – January 26, 2025

LOUISBURG – William Eaton Champion, Sr., 92, of Louisburg, died Sunday, January 26, 2025 at the Durham VA Medical Center Heroes Way Hospice Unit.

Mr. Champion was a son of the late George and Blanche G. Champion, Sr. He was preceded in death by his wife of 66 years, Anne T. Champion; son, William “Billy” Champion, Jr. and infant daughter Elizabeth Champion; sister, Ruth Dorsey; brothers, George Champion, Jr. and Linwood Champion.

Mr. Champion was an Army Veteran and successful insurance salesman for many years.  He loved to spend time in the kitchen cooking meals for his family and greatly enjoyed gospel music.

He and his wife raised two daughters and a son. William was devoted to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

In his younger days, he greatly enjoyed gardening and spent much of his time outdoors.  As he grew older, and his body began to slow down, he became content with his outdoor adventures primarily being on his front porch.  You would often find him sitting there, just watching the cars go by and commenting about some of them “driving 100 miles per hour.”

Mr. Champion is survived by his daughters, Dianne Champion of Goldsboro and Linda Thomas (Warren) of Louisburg; grandchildren, Rachel Gurkin (Jamie); Jimmy Garcia; Junior Thomas (Rhonda), Earl Thomas; great-grandchildren, Micaiah Gurkin, Dalton Cowley, Noble Gurkin, Megan King, Ashley Aiken and Haylie Thomas, and several great-great grandchildren.

The family wishes to express great appreciation for the VA Durham Medical Center. Mr. Champion greatly respected the VA hospital staff, and Mrs. Brenda Wilkins, who works to support the veterans of Franklin County.  She was able to help the family with resources to keep Mr. Champion at home, while his mind and body allowed.

Mr. Champion, along with many others in his family who preceded him in death, suffered from Alzheimer’s Disease in most recent years.  During those struggles, the family was able to find comfort in the excellent care received from the VA Hospital CLC Unit.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday in the chapel of Strickland Funeral Home. Burial will follow in the Gupton Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.

Due to the compromised immune systems of some immediate family members, everyone is asked to keep visitations strictly to the hour prior to the funeral service on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation, 2361 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, NY 10306.

Arrangements are by Strickland Funeral Home & Crematory, Louisburg, www.stricklandfuneralhome.net.

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