Cedric "Bennie" Benjamin Champion

Cedric "Bennie" Benjamin Champion, 87, of Johns Island, South Carolina, husband of Ulma Frances Hiers Champion entered into eternal rest Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Bennie was born March 12, 1938 in Petersburg, Virginia, (the second of five competitive boys). He was the son of the late Talley Benjamin Champion and the late Mary Wiley Hill Champion of Camden, SC. Brother to Jack Edward, James (Jim) Waldo, John Stanley and James Kenneth all deceased. Bennie proudly served in the United States National Guard embodying the spirit of service and commitment to his country.

As a young boy he would sell fresh shaved snowballs for a nickel to customers on the corners of downtown Camden SC. His father would always keep him straight by counting the remaining cups at the end of the day to know just how much product was sold. Growing up in the country he told stories about how he remembers sharing one bike between his four brothers. Always good at hunting he enjoyed running the dogs to hunt rabbit and shoot squirls with the family gun. On the small farm he and his brothers would explore the countryside and ride the pigs for fun. He cherished the 17 years he had with his father and so loved his mother. He would say she was a saint and angel from above to take care of and raise five rambunctious boys. He loved life and accepted the ups with the downs. He was competitive at an early age and enjoyed shooting marbles on the school playground to see who could collect the most. The glass jars full to the top was his trophy and proved he was one of the best. He graduated with the class of 1957 from Camden High School.

He enjoyed learning and always had an appetite to take on new challenges even though he did not know what to do next. For that, he was blessed with a resourceful wife and devoted mother to his three children. She always supported him in his exploration to do more and be more. His love was his family but along the way he enjoyed the outdoors, drinking cold beverages at the lake and exploring the wonderful countryside.

Well-known for his entrepreneurial spirit, Bennie and Frances successfully built, owned and operated a National Janitor Supply company, Stash-N-Dash mini-storage, and Champion Realty company in Lancaster, SC for 40 years.

Bennie was a devoted family man and is survived by his wife of 62 years, Frances Hiers. He also leaves behind his daughter, Amanda Maybach with her husband, Aaron, of Lexington, SC, as well as two sons, Talley Brett Champion with his wife Yolande, and John Christopher Champion, both sons of Mt. Pleasant, SC. He was blessed with 10 beautiful grandchildren.

He always had a garden and many times called himself a farmer, but he was so much more.

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association.