William Albert Champagne of Nashua, passed away on Saturday, February 28, 2015 at St. Joseph Hospital in Nashua at the age of 84. He was surrounded by his family and had been experiencing declining health since October. Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife, Barbara Jean Champagne. He rarely missed a day with her, as she spent nine years immobilized after a car accident, until her passing in 2009.
Members of his family include a son, Robert William Champagne and four grandchildren, Michael Champagne and his wife Kylee (McCullock) Champagne, Caitlyn Champagne, Scott Champagne and his girlfriend Jayme Denisco, and Devin Champagne; and a sister, Frances “Franny” Mohn. William and Earlene Colman of Manchester and Paul and Jeanne Caron of Hudson, NH were his lifelong friends.
William was born February 27, 1931 in Manchester, NH to the late William Albert and Corrine (Royer) Champagne. He was predeceased by a sister and a brother, Rita Woods and Gean Champagne. After graduating from Manchester Central High School, Bill joined the United States Navy in 1950. He went to Radiological Defense School and attained the rank of Seaman 1st class. Most of his Naval career was spent maintaining the flight simulator and teaching Morse code to the trainees in the pilot program. Later he received his degree in drafting. Bill married Barbara Jean Gagnon in Manchester on July 31, 1954. They moved to Nashua in 1966 after building their home nights and weekends from the ground up. His home was his true pride and joy. Bill worked for Improved Machinery for 25 years before working for Sanders Associates and Lockheed Martin. Fifteen of those years he spent working weekends at the Alpine Grove in Hollis, from which he had “a lot of fond memories”. After his retirement from Lockheed Martin, he worked part time at Towers Motor Parts in Nashua.
William, known to most as “Bill” or “Papa” will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He was an avid reader who often posted quotes around the house or in various places for words of encouragement for his family and friends. He loved the outdoors and was a walking encyclopedia when it came to plants, animals, birds and insects. Bill hiked, fished, hunted and enjoyed taxidermy. He loved gardening, canoeing and birdwatching; and shared these pastimes with his wife for many years. He kept bee hives, raised quail, chickens, and made wine. Bill loved music and dancing and in his younger years he had been a member of a barbershop quartet. He attributed these last two to his father and the enjoyment he had found in his dad playing the fiddle while growing up on the farm in Auburn. He also had a a passion for aviation, loved going to air shows, collected model planes, and had almost completed his air miles for his pilot’s license. Bill’s favorite recent experiences were riding in a Stearman biplane and a B-17 flying fortess.
SERVICES: Family and friends are welcome to join us in a celebration of his life on Saturday, April 11th from 12 to 4 p.m. at Alpine Grove, 19 South Depot Road, Rte 111-A in Hollis, NH. Private encryptment will take place in the Mausoleum of Woodlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New Hampshire Audubon, 84 Silk Farm Road, Concord, NH 03301. nha@nhaudubon.org Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE, 18 Lock Street, Nashua. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneral.com
