William Gilbert Champion

Funeral services for William Gilbert Champion, 87, of Gilmer will be held 11:00 A.M., Friday, May 16, 2014, at Enon Baptist Church with Reverend Ray Thompson officiating. Masonic graveside services will follow at Enon Cemetery under the direction of Croley Funeral Home in Gilmer. The family will receive friends on Thursday, May 15, 2014, at the funeral home from 6:00 until 8:00 P.M. W. Gilbert Champion went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, May 13, 2014. He was born on March 7, 1927 to Henry and Alma Gilbert Champion in Wills Point, Texas. Gilbert was preceded in death by his parents and sister, Merle Denby. He is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Joyce Champion; two sons and their wives, Michael and Dian Champion of Alvarado, James and Betty Sue Champion of Arlington; Eight grandsons and their wives; two granddaughters and their husbands; 25 great grandchildren; several great- great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Gilbert and Joyce married, February 29, 1948, in Wills Point, Texas and moved to Dallas, then on to the Arlington area for 45 years. Mr. Champion retired from Bell Helicopter in 1987 and moved to Gilmer in 1992. Mr. and Mrs. Champion became members of Enon Baptist Church and Gilbert loved to greet and hand out the bulletins to guest and members as they entered the Sanctuary. He was a member of the Bethesda Masonic Lodge #142 A.F & A.M and the Gilmer Eastern Star # 355. Pallbearers will be Craig, Steve, David, Jerry, Kenny and Marty Champion. Honorary pallbearers are Blake Champion and Jimmy Haynes. God has blessed us with many happy years. We traveled the U.S. in our Travel Trailer and have fished many of the lakes in Texas. Happy trails to you, My Darling.