William Scott Champney, PhD

WillIiam Scott Champney passed away Thursday, February 27, 2025, at the Johnson City Medical Center with his wife, Judy, by his side. Scott was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to the late William Brooks Champney and Betty Champney. He graduated from the University of Rochester with a B.S. in Biology and from the State University of New York at Buffalo with a PhD in 1970. He began a long and rewarding career as a professor, writer, and research scientist at the University of Georgia, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and finally the Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University as a Professor of Biochemistry. He was especially proud of the twelve students who received their PhD’s under his supervision during his career and his book New Antibiotic Targets. Among Scott’s many interests and hobbies were traveling both in the United States and to many countries around the world, playing percussion instruments in the Johnson City Community Concert Band, and building intricate model boats.

Scott’s family includes his wife Judy, whom he met while they were college students and who became his wife for the next 58 years and the mother of his three sons: Dr. Michael Scott Champney (Kim), FBI Special Agent Daniel William Champney (Jennifer), and Dr. Gregory Christopher Champney (Heather) and his eight much-loved grandchildren: Evan, Stratton, Brooks, Bella, Ellie, Reahnee, Harrison, and Carson. He is also survived by his four sisters: Connie Adams, Cathy Woll, Carol Kagan, and Christine Lawrence; his brother, Thomas Champney; his sisters-in-law, Connie Thompson and Valerie Fisher and their spouses, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held for Scott on Saturday, March 22, from 2 until 4 p.m., at the Hunters Lake Club House followed by a service recalling memories of their father by his three sons. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research or to a charity of your choosing. Morris-Baker Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Johnson City, is serving the Champney family. (423) 282-1521