William Hayden Simpson MD

William H. Simpson, M.D. passed away at his home on September 12, 2015. He was born January 15, 1917 in Stevenson, Alabama. He was the son on Hayden Simpson and Mabel Tally Simpson, both of whose families were early settlers of the area.

Dr. Simpson is survived by his wife of 68 years, Elizabeth Moore Simpson, his brother Samuel Simpson, M.D. of Florida, his niece Leigh Thomas of Dothan, Alabama, his nephew Henry Simpson of Atlanta, Georgia, sister-in-law Ruth Strickland of Palatine, Illinois, and several great nephews. He is also survived by many close friends, neighbors, and colleagues to whom he was unfailingly kind and helpful.

As a boy growing up in Stevenson, he was an outstanding scholar and athlete. He was an avid tennis player and swimmer and enjoyed remembering the occasion when he and two friends jumped into the Tennessee River at Chattanooga, swimming home to Stevenson. He remained a jogger for most of his life and rode his stationary bike daily until this past year.

Dr. Simpson graduated from Vanderbilt University, attended his first two years of medical school at the University of Alabama, Birmingham. He then transferred to Harvard University School of Medicine, where he finished third in his very large medical school class. After his studies, he served an internship and residency in Internal Medicine at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital in Boston. He then severed in the United States Air Force and was stationed in Montgomery at Maxwell Air Force Base. There, he met his beloved wife, who was working as a dietitian at the VA Hospital. They were devoted to one another, shared a passion for traveling, gardening, voracious reading, and caring for and about others. They happily shared their home for many years, caring for his mother and her father.

Dr. Simpson belonged to many professional organizations and practiced medicine in Gadsden for thirty-five years. He was beloved by his patients, admired by his colleagues, and respected by all who knew him.

He was a benefactor to innumerable charities, has a Habitat for Humanity home named in his honor, and after his retirement was a frequent visitor to friends who were ill or homebound. He also daily fed the countless birds who came to know that there was food and water for them at the Simpson home. Dr. Simpson remained intellectually engaged all the days of his life, enjoyed regular visitors and avidly followed sports.

A memorial service will be held at the Church of the Holy Comforter, where the Simpson’s have been longtime members, on Saturday, September 19th at 10:00 a.m.. A reception in the Great Hall of the Church will follow the service.

The family wishes to express their deep appreciation to Doctors Tom Corley and Ralph Wesley, as well as to their faithful caretakers, Lisa Murphy, Linda Hammond, Sheryl Post, Rita Carmack, Cheryl Pate, Charlene Powell, Alacare nurse Kelly Usry, and longtime housekeeper Beverly Hammond.

In addition, the family wishes to express special thanks to Becky Rhodes, attorney James Turnbach, Claudia Jermyn, Barbara and Jack Roberts, and Betty Frantz.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donation in Dr. Simpson’s honor be made to the charity of your choice.

Online condolences may be made at www.collier-butler.com.