William Simpson

William Ralph Simpson, 85, of Warrenton, GA (formerly of Bainbridge, GA), passed away Sunday, March 9, 2008 at his residence. The funeral service will be at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 12, 2008 at Southwest Baptist Church with Mr. Leon Lynn and Mr. Joe Morrison officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memory Gardens with Hilton Barbree, Leon Lynn, Gordon Story, Brandon Lynn, Justin Kuhns, Jesse Reynoso, Joey Harris and Rick Gibson serving as active pallbearers. The family will receive friends Tuesday, March 11, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at Ivey Funeral Home. Online visitors may sign the guest register at www.iveyfuneral.com . Memorial donations may be made to the Southwest Baptist Church, 1101 Faceville Hwy. Bainbridge, GA 39819. Mr. Simpson, a native of Gwinnett County, GA was the son of the now late William Thomas and Lillie Mae Simpson. He was retired as Plant Manager of Jack Winter, Inc. and served as Plant Manager for Garland Knitting Mills of Warrenton from 1961 to 1966. He served with the United States Army during World War II, serving in the 29th Infantry Division and the 175th Infantry Regiment. Mr. Simpson was awarded a Purple Heart with an Oak Leaf Cluster. He was a founding member of the Southwest Baptist Church were he taught Sunday school for 16 years. Mr. Simpson was a Member and Past President of the Bainbridge Lions Club and was a Melvin Jones Fellowship Recipient. He was preceded in death by wife, Nell Simpson. Survivors include two daughters, Teresa Simpson Story and husband Gordon of Warrenton, GA, and Karen Simpson Lynn and husband Leon of Thomasville, GA; four grandchildren, Gina Story, Brandon Lynn, Bethany Lynn Kuhns and husband Justin, and Keris Story; three great grandchildren, Alyssa Story, Alora Ennis and Wyatt Kuhns; five sisters, Pauline Everett, Winder, GA, Avis Pendley, Social Circle, GA, Doris Snell, Social Circle, GA, Dorothy Druggers, Charleston, SC, and Vada Simpson, Warner Robins, GA; one brother, Dewey Simpson, Melbourne, FL.