Harold D. Simpson

Mr. Simpson was born July 26, 1933, in Hamilton, the son of Herman and Eunice (Ward) Simpson. He attended school in Monroe and Hamilton, and graduated in 1951 from Hamilton High School. He also attended the University of Cincinnati. Following high school graduation, Mr. Simpson enlisted in the United States Navy, completing basic training at Bainbridge, Md., before attending electrician school at Great Lakes. After graduating Great Lakes, Mr. Simpson served as an electrician aboard the auxiliary-repair vessel USS Cadmus (AR-14) based in Norfolk, Va. Following his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Simpson served several years in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

In 1952, while on leave in Alexandria, Va., Mr. Simpson met Clelia D. Barber, of Boston, Mass. The following year, on March 12, 1953, the couple married at Tremont Temple Baptist Church, in Boston. They celebrated 63 sweet and blessed years of marriage.

Mr. Simpson is the father of three children: Deborah Onkst (Martin) of Hamilton; Jeffrey (Rebecca) of Seven Mile; and Becky Hibbard (Timothy) of Hamilton. He has five grandchildren: Jennifer Harris (Jeff) and Meghan Bell (Doug); Abigail Walton (Andrew); and Timothy and Michael Hibbard; and five great-grandchildren: Alexis Bell, Emma Harris, Elizabeth Walton, Jackson Bell, and Elijah Walton. He also is survived by Clelia, his bride of 63 years; sisters Vernell Baecker and June Winkler (Dick); brothers Vernon and Wayne; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Herman; mother, Eunice; sister, Violet; brother, Kent; sisters-in-law, Patricia and Linda; and brothers-in-law, John Drake and Bob Baecker.

Mr. and Mrs. Simpson moved moved from Boston to Cincinnati in 1953, and then to Hamilton in 1956. In 1954 Mr. Simpson began work at Procter & Gamble as a draftsman. Over the next forty years, he worked as a design engineer and as a project engineer for the company on a variety of recognizable products, including Folger Coffee and Ivory Soap. His career took him to San Francisco; Long Beach, Calif.; Greenbay, Wis.; Houston, where the entire family relocated in 1965; and Sherman, Texas, where Mr. and Mrs. Simpson relocated from 1981-1993. Mr. Simpson took great pride in and derived great satisfaction from his career at P&G. He retired in 1994.

The Simpsons enjoyed travel, and spent time exploring the Southwest while living in Texas. Following retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Simpson spent much time in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where they purchased a small vacation home. Mr. Simpson took great joy in the wild places of the Northwoods and in the beauty and splendor of the wildlife.

An athlete for much of his life, Mr. Simpson was active in church league softball in Hamilton for several decades, playing in both fast-pitch and slow-pitch leagues for Hamilton's Immanuel Baptist Church.

Mr. Simpson was a dedicated and devout Christian, worshipping for most of his life at Immanuel Baptist of Hamilton, where many in his family were charter members. He sang for several years in the celebrated Chancel Choir, taught Sunday school, and served as treasurer for the church. Family and others who knew him remember Mr. Simpson for his commitment to Christ and to the Christian walk, and for his example of selfless love and service to his Lord and Savior. Trusting in the promise of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, we anticipate joining with him again. While grieving for our loss, we celebrate a life well-lived.

In this time of sorrow and hope, the family of Mr. Simpson extends deep gratitude to Pastor Mike Botts of Immanuel Baptist Church; to the caregivers at Fort Hamilton Hospital; to Dr. Evan Lang; and especially to the caregivers at Hospice of Hamilton, for their compassion and care for both Mr. Simpson and his loved ones.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 5, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., at Ivey Funeral Home, 2565 Princeton Road, Hamilton. Funeral services will follow with Rev. Mike Botts and Rev. Orville Roach officiating. A graveside service with veteran's honors will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery. The family requests no flowers. Memorials should be made, in memory of Mr. Harold D. Simpson, to Matthew 25: Ministries, 11060 Kenwood Road, Blue Ash, Ohio 45242; or to Hospice of Hamilton, 1010 Eaton Ave., Hamilton, 45013.