Willie James Simpson

WILLIE JAMES SIMPSON (“W.J.”) was born on August 16, 1945 to the late Henry and Rudine Simpson. He departed this earth on October 19, 2023 at the age of 78. W.J. was born and raised in Ridgeway, South Carolina where he attended St. Mark Baptist Church. He graduated in the Class of 1963 from Fairfield High School in Winnsboro, South Carolina. W.J. was drafted by the military where he received a purple heart in Vietnam before being honorably discharged in 1966. After serving in the army, W.J. moved to Baltimore, Maryland where he worked as a steelworker for Bethlehem Steel before retiring after 30-plus years. While in Baltimore, W.J. met Gloria Armstrong; and after a courtship, they were married in 1980. They had two daughters, Terri and Stacy. W.J. was a very sociable guy who loved to talk (sometime a little too much). He would talk to anybody about anything. If you knew W.J., you know he was a “trash talker”, especially when it came to his beloved Pittsburgh Steelers. W.J. was a very kindhearted and giving man who never hesitated to help a loved one in need. He loved a good party and never met a dance floor he didn’t like. W.J. loved his family and friends so much “down home” in South Carolina, he would always ask how they were doing; and whenever he got the chance to go home for a visit, he would try to visit all of his classmates and family to catch up. W.J. is preceded in death by: his loving wife, Gloria Simpson; two older brothers, John Henry Simpson and Ernest Simpson; eight brothers-inlaw, John Harry Shannon, Charleston Cornelius, Nathaniel Lee, Ernest, Samuel, Gregory, James and Don Armstrong; three sisters-in-law, Estelle McFadden, Ernell Taylor and Lillian Armstrong. He leaves to cherish his memory: his two angels, Terri and Stacy Simpson; two younger brothers, Freddie Lee and Curtis Simpson; four younger sisters, Ruthetta Shannon, Bernice Simpson, Dorothy Simpson- Cornelius, Dianne Simpson; seven sisters-in-law, Margaret, Marjorie, Randy and Patricia Simpson, Theresa Toulson, Michele Branch and Cheryl Armstrong; brother-in-law, Norman Armstrong; and close childhood friend/buddy, Mr. Eddie Lee Addison; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. W.J. was a lot of things but most of all he was a great father, brother and friend.

Tributes

Willie James Simpson

August 16, 1945 - October 19, 2023