William Champagne

Funeral Information

A celebration of life and luncheon will be held on October 25, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Knight’s by Cafe 53, 1036 S Van Dyke Rd, Bad Axe, MI 48413. An honor guard will be present to perform a military ceremony and 21-gun salute in recognition of Bill’s service to his country. The gathering will be casual, uplifting, and a time to celebrate Bill and the life he lived. In true Bill fashion, guests are encouraged to wear their Lions gear, wear a ball cap (because Bill rarely went anywhere without one), and bring stories and photos to share. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Bill’s memory are asked to consider memorial contributions to American Legion Jean Post #543 in Caseville, Michigan or VFW Post #116 in Bad Axe/Port Austin, Michigan. He will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered. To sign the online guestbook, visit www.cremationsocietymidmi.com Arrangements made with the Cremation Society of Mid Michigan.

Family of the Deceased

Bill is survived by his son, William “Billy” Champagne; daughter, Madison Champagne; son-in-law, Stefano Carter; and granddaughter, Alara Carter. He is also survived by many loving family members and friends who were fortunate enough to know him. He was preceded in death by his brothers, Edmund, Gerald, and Eugene Champagne, and his sister, Diana Braun. Bill leaves behind a lifetime of laughter, stories, friendships, and memories that will continue to bring smiles to the people who loved him. His family hopes that when they think of him, they remember his laugh, his jokes, his coffee conversations, and his big heart. And knowing Bill, he probably would have a joke ready about all of this anyway.

Biography

William Ernest “Bill” Champagne, age 77, of Bad Axe, Michigan, passed away on October 1, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer. Bill was born on December 10, 1948, in Bad Axe to the late Edmund and Virginia (Heleski) Champagne. A lifelong resident of Bad Axe, he proudly served his country as a Vietnam veteran and later worked for the City of Bad Axe in the Department of Water Works. Bill was one of a kind. Funny, social, friendly, and unapologetically himself, he had a gift for making people laugh. He always had a witty remark, a silly phrase, or a joke ready, and his unmistakable, jolly laugh could often be heard from across the room. He had a way of leaving every room a little happier than when he entered it. Bill never met a stranger. He loved visiting with friends and family, making phone calls, and sitting down over a cup of coffee and good conversation. He could talk to absolutely anyone and somehow made everyone feel like an old friend. His mother always said, “If he didn’t have anybody to talk to, he’d talk to the birds.” Bill was a proud outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He had a special love for motorcycles, particularly Harley-Davidsons, and was an avid television watcher and devoted fan of westerns. In fact, if you ever talked to him on the phone, chances were good that his TV could be heard blaring in the background. He especially loved having his granddaughter around and was often more than ready to ask when she was going to take her next nap so he could turn the TV back on. He was also a self-proclaimed “jack of all trades, master of none,” although he always seemed to know exactly how to fix something, usually with a little duct tape. His family will also never let him forget his legendary sweet tooth, especially considering he was diabetic.

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