A native of Raleigh, Stephen graduated from Broughton High School in 1971.
A man of wide-ranging interests and ability, he worked at the San Francisco Public Library for a time and returned to Raleigh to attend N.C. State, where he distinguished himself among his professors as a gifted writer. He later studied hotel administration at a training academy in St. Louis.
In his youth, he was an accomplished student and avid drummer. He retained a love of music throughout his life, boasting encyclopedic command of song lyrics and musical styles that spanned decades. He also had a deep interest in aviation and closely followed current events and politics.
Stephen was predeceased by his father and his brother, Mark.
He is survived by his mother, Edith Simpson, of Raleigh. Also surviving are cousins Russell Stephenson of Wake Forest; Martha Stephenson of Boone; Carla Ann Robison of Norcross, Ga.; William Clarke III of New York; and Elizabeth Clarke of Washington, D.C.
A private interment was held at Oakwood Cemetery.
The family requests that anyone wishing to honor Steve consider a memorial gift to the SPCA of Wake County, 200 Petfinder Lane, Raleigh, NC 27603.
Brown-Wynne, 300 St. Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Simpson family.
