Champion family just lost a great man

[MMosher]

Just got some bad news.....Bill Pace passed away today. I don't have any details at this time and still floored over it.

For those of you that aren't familiar with him, Bill Pace was a LONG time salesmen for Champion. He started with Champ in 1975 and left in the early 90's. He was also the former Champion owner for a time. I think it's safe to say he sold more Champs than any other salesman Champ has ever had. He was the innovator of putting "Butts in seats" and the breach turn. He didn't use marketing, sweet talk or rubbing his hands over the boat to sell em. He took you for a demo ride and showed you what a Champ was capable of.

His goal was simple.....

"If you were gonna buy a boat and I could get ya in a Champion, I'd sell it to ya" - Bill Pace

And it worked for many many years.

There are few people in this world that had more wheel time in a Champ than Bill and very few people in this world that could drive a Champ to 110% of it's ability like he could.

He was also one heck of a fine bass fisherman and hunter. He was one of the greatest archery shooters I've ever seen. I once saw him shoot a aspirin hanging from a string (shooting instinctively, no sights) and a hell of a rifle shooter to boot. He fished and hunted all over the country, sold boats in every state he could and was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was one of the only people you'd meet that would leave a half hour late and get there a half hour early. He's still probably got warrants for his arrest for outstanding speeding tickets in a few states.

This summer when Gramps passed away I got to spend some time with Bill and catch up. He always told the best story's and standing there talking to him I felt like I was 12 years old again. My uncle and I fished the "Wednesday Nighter" on Norfolk and Bill was there in his beloved Mt. Home made 203 Champion. At take off he was about 4 boats in front of me and it took me a few miles to catch him but we got side by side both with grins on our faces. He then promptly left me in his wake.

There are very few people in this world that I have a deep felt respect for and Bill Pace was one of them. Next time I take the 202 out and drop the hammer I'll be pointing up to him to show respect. Hopefully he and gramps are out on the lake somewhere arguing over who's running the front of the boat on the other. This year Mt. Home has lost some great people from the boating/fishing industry.

Rest I peace my old friend. I hope they're biting where you're at.

My fellow Champers that knew him please share a story about him.

This was taken at my Gramps funeral this July. From left to right: Bill Pace, My mother, Ronny Dierdorf, and Norm "Doc" Klaymen.

[95202DCX]

My condolences too his family and friends. You have some incredible Champion memories to keep them all around in your heart, sorry for your losses.

[milligjg]

[Fidgetcranker]

for all that hold him near and dear to their hearts.

[ChampioNman]

RIP Bill.

[grout-scout]

[Bruce2]

[BalsaBee]

Sad news.....

Thanks for posting the picture Matt. Doc Klaymen...the very best angler to ever wet a line in Bull Shoals.

[Tx Champ]

Great tribute, Matt ... sorry for your loss. for Bill's family and friends.

[cart7]

[Lea]

For all who knew and loved him.

[rboren]

Very sad news! for his family and friends!

[STLBassBuster]

Well said Matt. Rest in Peace Bill.

[dkennimer]

So sorry to hear this. Sounds like a great man. Thanks for sharing the stories, sounds like he liked to have fun! Prayers sent to his family and friends.

[Collin C.]

[Materman2007]

✌️⛳️��

[TX Strampion]

[Tablerock 196 champ]

[pmgoffjr]

I've always had a special place for people who told me what they were thinking. Few equals and none better than Bill Pace.

[MMosher]

Bills service information.

http://www.kirbyandfamily.com/obituaries/Billy-Pace-2/#!/Obituary