William T. Simpson, Jr.

Mr. William T. (Bill) Simpson, Jr., formerly of Monroe, passed away on November 13, 2019, at the age of 95. Bill was born on September 5, 1924, and grew up in West Monroe, where he met and married his high school sweetheart Marie Wilhite. They were married for 76 years.
He was a dedicated and loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and leaves his family with a legacy of character and unwavering faith which never failed to sustain and carry him through life’s adversities. He lived each day knowing it was a blessing, and he was an inspiration to all whose lives he touched throughout his lifetime.
Bill was a leader in the Boy Scouts and a member of the Boy Scouts Order of the Arrow; a 32nd Degree Mason with the Western Star Masonic Lodge #24 in Monroe for over 50 years; and served with the Monroe Auxiliary Police for 20 years, during which he earned the rank of lieutenant. He was also a World War II veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945.
Bill was preceded in death by his two sons, William Larry Simpson and Clifford Alan Simpson. His survivors include his wife, Marie; his daughter, Janie Simpson Fortenberry; son-in-law Norm; daughter-in-law, Sally Simpson; five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Other family members are brothers-in-law, Robert L. Wilhite (Mary Katherine) and Billy F. Wilhite of West Monroe; sister-in-law, Juanita Ellerbe of Monroe.
A visitation will be held at Mulhearn Funeral Home in West Monroe on Sunday, November 17, 2019, at 1:00 p.m., with a memorial service following at 2:00 p.m.
Memorials may be made to Graceminster Presbyterian Church of Monroe, or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis.