Donsel Leroy Champ, 87, of Ripley, WV, passed away on Friday, July 14, 2023, at Thomas Hospital, South Charleston, WV.

He was born January 20, 1936, in Industry, WV, the eldest son of the late Fred Leroy and Janie M. (Maze) Champ. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his second wife, Ellie Champ; third wife, Freda Champ; two grandchildren; one brother and one sister.

Donsel grew up in Parkersburg, West Virginia. After leaving high school he worked in the construction trades in the Parkersburg area until he was 20 years old and decided to enlist in the United States Air Force. The Air Force trained him as an electrician. He served four years as an airman and then enlisted in the United States Army where he served an additional 22 years before retiring. During his service in the Army he filled many roles, but he served the longest as an electronics missile technician for the Nike Hercules family of air defense missiles. He was so masterful in his craft that he was one of the few soldiers hand selected to participate in the Sprint and Spartan missile projects and the Safeguard program. He was a staff member of a Sprint/Spartan school at Fort Bliss, Texas where other soldiers were trained on those systems. At Fort Bliss there is a missile museum commemorating the Safeguard program and you can see his photo on some of the monuments at the museum. His work is also commemorated at the missile museum at White Sands Missile Range where later in life he volunteered as a tour guide. He rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class, E-7. He served in the US military from 1956 to 1982.

He served at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Travis Air Force Base, Germany, Fort Bliss, White Sands Missile Range, Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands of the South Pacific, and many more locations.

After he retired from the military he lived and worked in El Paso, Texas. He worked in the facilities/maintenance department of a hospital. Donsel stayed in El Paso until 2011 when at the age of 75 he decided to move back to his home state of West Virginia.

He loved West Virginia's mountains and music. He attended bluegrass festivals around the state. He loved bluegrass, old school country, and gospel music. Later in life he taught himself to play guitar, dobro, and the saw and bow. At bluegrass festivals he would sometimes join the band on stage with his harmonica. He also loved auto racing and attended many racing events. Early in life he professed Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.

He also enjoyed playing pool and the other members of his team, Johnson's Mountaineer Inn of the Bend in the River Pool League where he and his team recently won Runners Up in the league.

Survivors include his children, Bill Champ and his wife, Julia of Austin, TX, Bonnie Rodriguez and her husband, Joey of El Paso, TX, Clark Champ of California; four grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Service will be 7 p.m., Thursday, July 27,2023, at Casto Funeral Home, Evans, WV, with Pastor Rick Perrine officiating. Friends may visit with the family from 5 p.m. until time of service on Thursday, at the funeral home. Graveside service with full military honors will be 2 p.m., Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery, Dunbar, WV.

Condolences may be shared with the family at www.castofuneralhome.com

Arrangements are under the care of Casto Funeral Home, Evans, WV.