Benjamin Ben Ivey Simpson III

Benjamin Ivey Simpson, III, entered into his heavenly home on Friday, May 30, 2014 at his home surrounded by his family. A celebration of his life will be held on Monday, June 2nd at 11 a.m. at Liberty United Methodist Church with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. Wayne Anthony, Dr. William Oliver and the Rev. Steve Hamrick will officiate. Serving as Pallbearers will be Beal Williams, Raymond Amerson, Steve Cheek, Warren Courtney, Frank Dowd, Russell Lipford, Alan Marsh, Benjamin Marsh, Dennis Munn, Mike Ogden, Carl Puckett, and Donnie Watson. The family will meet friends from 5 – 7 p.m., Sunday at Snow’s Memorial Chapel, Pio Nono Avenue. Flowers will be accepted but memorial contributions may be made to Liberty United Methodist Church Cemetery Committee, 6511 Houston Road, Macon, GA 31216, or Alzheimer’s Disease Research, 22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871 (www.brightfocus.org/alzheimers).

Ben was born in Mayfield, KY on October 8, 1940 and grew up in Tifton, GA. He made Macon, GA his home. He was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Rives Wright Simpson of Tifton, GA, his father, Benjamin Ivey Simpson, Jr. of Avondale Estates, GA and a nephew, Greg Simpson of Springfield, MO.

Ben was a graduate of Georgia Tech with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He also received his Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Georgia. He co-oped at the Naval Ordnance Plant in Macon, later returning to work there before transferring to Robins AFB. He worked at Robins for thirty-eight years, retiring in 2004. He then worked for private contractors for four years.

He was an active member of Liberty United Methodist Church for forty years, serving as Secretary of the Cemetery Committee for twenty-six years as well as Assistant Superintendent of Sunday School for many years. He also served on the Administrative Board, the Finance Committee, the Trustees, and numerous other committees. He was a member of the United Methodist Men and the Pairs and Spares Sunday School class. Ben participated in several mission trips with Liberty’s youth to Kentucky and Hinton Rural Life Center in North Carolina.

Ben loved God first and then family, friends, and his church. He was an avid runner for many years, running the sidewalks and roads in South Bibb County. He ran at least twelve marathons and many smaller races. He was one of the early members of the Macon Tracks Club and once received an award for running 3000+ miles in a year. He loved NASCAR racing, hunting, fishing, shooting, and Georgia Tech football.

Mr. Simpson is survived by his loving wife of fifty years, Janice Mercer Simpson; his son Brad (Angie) Simpson of Evans, GA; his daughters Laurie (Bill) Meilinger of Warner Robins and Kathryn (Scott) Clontz of Waynesville, NC; his grandchildren Morgan and Carson Meilinger of Warner Robins, Zachary and Thomas Simpson of Evans, and Joseph and Sam Clontz of Waynesville; two brothers, Walter (Ginny) Simpson of Springfield, MO, Bobby (Bonnie) Simpson of Tifton, GA; step-mother, Mary Metcalf Simpson of Monroe, GA; step-brother, Jim (Virginia) Metcalf of Social Circle, GA; three nieces, four great nieces and four great nephews.

The family would also like to acknowledge Mr. Simpson’s caregivers, Sherry and Vanessa.

Visit www.snowsmacon.com to express condolences.

Snow’s Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Services, Pio Nono Avenue has charge of arrangements.