Cecil Simpson

Cecil was born on August 17, 1926 in Pelsor (Sand Gap), Arkansas to Claude & Alice Simpson.

His family lived in Sand Gap for a few years where Cecil and his brother Vernon and sisters Bernice, Edith and Mary attended a one room school house. Later they moved to Palcer, California where Cecil graduated from Palcer High School and Junior College. Cecil enjoyed playing basketball and football at Palcer. Cecil enlisted in the United States Air Force 1944 while World War II was still raging. He trained and became an airborne radio operator traveling to many places around the world. While stationed at Ellington AFB in Houston, he met Lavita Sikes and they were married in 1953.

Cecil and Lavita had 5 children: Sheila, Randy, Donna, Rene and Michael. The family followed Cecil’s career to Washington State and Paris, France before settling in Texas. Cecil liked to tell the story of when he transferred from Moses Lake, Washington to Paris, France, the family drove their Ford Station Wagon from Washington to California to visit family and then followed historic Route 66 to the East Coast so the family car could be shipped to France.

Cecil retired in San Antonio after 20 years in the Air Force. The family then moved to Houston where he worked a few various odd jobs before becoming a Parole Office for the State of Texas. Cecil retired as Director of Parole Supervision at the Texas Board of Pardons and Parole in Austin, Texas. While working at BPP, Cecil graduated from Southwest Texas State University with a degree in Criminal Justice.

After retirement, Cecil enjoyed watching college sports and was an avid fan of the Arkansas Razorbacks. He also enjoyed reading and subscribed to many newspapers and magazines.

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents; his brother Vernon; his sisters Mary and Bernice; his first wife Lavita and second wife Riley.

Cecil is survived by his sister Edith; children Sheila Gandy and husband Harold of Houston, TX; Randy Simpson and wife Wanda of Llano, TX; Donna Shull and husband Thomas of Marble Falls, TX; Rene Ferguson and husband Tim of Leander, TX; Michael Simpson and wife Vickie of Mertzon, TX; grandchildren Rhonda Carrell and husband Steve; April Seale and husband Melvin; Chris Simpson; Lisa Simpson Jackson and partner Rhonda Jackson; Heather Dalton and husband Clay; John Shuford and wife Crystal; Steven Shull and wife Jan; Misty Hernandez and husband Adam; Brandon Ferguson and wife Bethany; Matthew Ferguson; Amanda Simpson and 21 great-grandchildren.

Pallbearers are grandsons Chris Simpson, John Shuford, Steven Shull, Brandon Ferguson, Matthew Ferguson and grandson-in law Adam Hernandez.

Funeral Services will be held 11:00 A.M. Friday, July 18, 2014, at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home in Marble Falls. Interment will follow at Lakeland Hills Memorial Park.

The family wishes to thank everyone for your prayers, support and for joining us in this time of remembering Cecil.

The family also wishes to thank the staff at Cedar Ridge Alzheimer’s Care Center for the care they provided for Cecil. Special thanks go to Mary Smith with Gentiva Hospice for the loving care she gave to Cecil.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Cecil Simpson can be made to the Alzheimer’s Organization www.alz.org

Arrangements made by Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home Marble Falls, Texas