Capt. William “Bill” Eugene Simpson, 100

Published 8:19 am Monday, August 7, 2023

Capt. William “Bill” Eugene Simpson, 100, died August 3, 2023. Born December 19, 1922, in La Junta, Colorado to the late Ralph and Anna (Hunderman) Simpson. He was married to the love of his life, June (McHan) Simpson for 73 years. Following graduation from high school, he received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD, graduating with the class of 1945 with a degree in General Science. He then attended the United States Navy Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA graduating with a degree in Electronic Engineering. Capt. Simpson served in the United States Navy for 30 years. During his time in the Navy, he worked with the United States Department of Transportation and the National Transportation Safety Board. After retiring from the Navy in 1975, he worked for ORI, Inc. in Silver Spring, Maryland.

Bill was a member and elder of First Christian Church, Falls Church, Virginia, and a member of Middletown Christian Church, Middletown, KY. He was a Sunday school teacher and served on the church board as Chairman of the Worship Committee at First Christian Church, Falls Church. He was also a member of the choir, The American Legion, MOAA (lifetime member), USNA Alumni Association, and Village East, Louisville. Bill was a philanthropist who showed compassion and assisted anyone in need. As a resident of Village East in Middletown, KY, he was nominated and received the Kentucky Senior Living Association’s Senior Resident of the Year Award in May 2019.

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Bill is preceded in death by his wife, June McHan Simpson, his parents, a brother, Robert Simpson, and a niece, Susan (Simpson) DeChene.

He is survived by his only daughter Karen LeeAnn (Simpson) Rickmers and son-in-law, Darell G. Rickmers of Danville, KY. He had two grandchildren Corey Michael Rickmers, Rockville, MD and Kara Elizabeth Rickmers, Seoul, South Korea; nieces Jean Simpson, Middletown, KY, Jimmy and Martha Simpson, Baltimore, MD, Joey Simpson, Baltimore, MD, and many great nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be 1 p.m., Wednesday, August 9, 2023, at Stith Funeral Home, Danville with Rev. Joseph Pusateri. Visitation will be 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Wednesday at Stith Funeral Home, 318 W Broadway St., Danville, KY. Burial will be at Camp Nelson National Cemetery, Nicholasville, KY. The United States Navy and American Legion Caswell-Saufley Post #18 will provide military honors. Memorial donations are suggested to the American Cancer Society. The online guestbook is available at www.stithcares.com