Following a rare cancer diagnosis, Roy Lunsford Champion, Jr., aged 85, passed away peacefully at home on May 8, 2023, with his beloved wife of almost 40 years, Quinn Sale, at his side. In keeping with his personality, the last days of his brief illness were marked by courage, determination, and serenity.

Roy was born in Asheboro, North Carolina, and spent most of his childhood in Wilson, North Carolina. He received a BS and MS in engineering physics from North Carolina State University before earning a Ph.D. in experimental physics from University of Florida. In 1967, Roy joined the faculty of the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, where he was a professor of physics until he retired in 2003. Post retirement, he and Quinn divided their time between homes in Williamsburg and the Bahamas.

While at William & Mary, Roy established a small experimental lab devoted to the study of atomic and molecular physics that produced over a hundred research papers, multiple Ph.D. dissertations, and an international reputation for originality and reliability. Roy also taught undergraduate and graduate classes and played an active role in the department’s administration. During his 36 years at William & Mary, Roy brought his high standards, as well as the force of his personality, to multiple roles, including the chair of the physics department and countless committees at both the departmental and university levels.

Roy approached life as a series of adventures with Quinn: sailing between Florida and the Bahamas; building a house on Great Guana Cay in the Abacos; exploring various French regions every year; solving pandemic constraints by living on a boat; and buying an electric bike several months ago as his “last hurrah.” Roy had many diverse interests, including playing tennis and, more recently, pickleball; reading the New York Times cover to cover; and being a master chef who loved to entertain friends and family with his culinary delights. Parlaying his talents as an experimental physicist into DIY projects, Roy could fix or build anything.

Roy is survived by his wife, Quinn; his sister, Julia Walker (Tom); his brother, Doug Champion (Susan Suggs); his son, Jeffrey Champion (Maggie); his daughter-in-law, Amy Champion; and five grandchildren: Ellis, Luke, Kayla, Lexi, and Emma Champion. Roy is predeceased by his eldest son, John Champion, who passed away in 2014.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that you consider a donation in Roy’s name to Champions Against Cancer by visiting https://www.champsagainstcancer.org/.