"Winlock Pioneer Passes"
William Champ, one of the oldest pioneers of Lewis county, died at his home in Winlock Saturday after an illness of long duration. The deceased man was 89 years of age, having been born in Kentucky in 1823. He crossed the plains in 1860 and came to Olympia, moving into Lewis county in 1867, where he has lived ever since. He is survived by seven children, 38 grand children, and 21 great grandchildren.
Mr. Champ was the oldest Mason in the state of Washington, having joined the Kirkville Masonic lodge in Kentucky in 1845. He organized the first Masonic lodge in Mason county at Shelton in 1862. He also organized the Masonic lodges at Chehalis, Winlock and Union City. The funeral services were held in Winlock this afternoon, Masons from all over the state being in attendance.
Source: Centralia Daily Chronicle, 4 Nov 1912, page 3.
Transcribed by Diana Smith. She has no further information on this individual.