William A. "Bill" Simpson

William A. "Bill" Simpson, 78, of Springfield, passed away October 2, 2017 at Memorial Medical Center. Bill was born February 2, 1939 in Oakland, CA. He was the only child of Arthur Earl and Pauline Simpson. He met his beloved wife, Nancy Ellen Dougery, while they were both students at the University of California, Berkeley. After earning his B.S. in Business Administration at Cal in 1961, he was stationed in Berlin and Mannheim, West Germany, where he served in the U.S. Army. He rose to the rank of Captain. Nancy joined him in Mannheim, and they were married there on March 31, 1962. After returning from the Army, Bill began a long, successful career in the Life Insurance Industry. He started as a salesman in California in 1965. As his career progressed, he moved into sales management. Having been an insurance salesman himself, he had a special understanding and appreciation for salespeople. He had an amazing gift for inspiring people and managing insurance sales organizations. Bill and Nancy came to Springfield in 1997 when Bill became Chairman and CEO of Franklin Life Insurance Company. He very much enjoyed The Franklin, where he stayed until his retirement in 2000. Prior to his years at The Franklin, Bill was President and CEO of US Life Corporation in New York, President and COO of Transamerica Occidental Life Insurance Company in Los Angeles, and CEO of Volunteer State Life Insurance Company in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In addition to his B.S. degree, Bill also completed the Executive MBA Program at Columbia University in 1980. He earned the distinction of a Certified Life Underwriter (CLU) in 1972. Bill was an active and passionate contributor to every community he lived in throughout his life. His life of service began very young, as he became an Eagle Scout at the age of 11. He loved and supported scouting throughout his life. He was President of the Boy Scout Council of Chattanooga, TN and later served as President of the Boy Scout Council of Los Angeles. In Springfield, he served on the Board of Directors of the Abraham Lincoln Boy Scout Council, Memorial Medical Center, Illinois Symphony Orchestra and the United Way of Central Illinois. He was an active supporter of UIS. Most importantly, Bill loved the Lord and he was an Elder and active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church. He also treasured his weekly mens Bible class at Springfield Bible Church. He had a full life and enjoyed many hobbies and pastimes. He rowed crew in college, enjoyed music and playing the guitar, fishing, photography and golf. He also collected and restored antique scales. Most of all, he enjoyed traveling with Nancy. Both through his career and after his retirement, they traveled all the world together. Bill was a much beloved son, husband, father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his cherished wife of 55 years, Nancy; his daughters, Sharon (Jeff) Padgett and Shelley (Mark) Schoen, both of Charlotte, NC; his grandchildren, Madelyn Schoen, Gavin Schoen and Ainsley Padgett; and step-grandsons, Jamie and Bradley Padgett. He also leaves a brother-in-law, James Dougery (Joy); a niece and nephew; five-great nieces and nephews; as well as several cousins. Memorial Gathering: The family will receive friends from 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut, Springfield. Memorial Service: 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at Westminster Presbyterian Church with The Rev. Dr. Blythe Denham Kieffer officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to: The Boy Scouts of America, Illinois Symphony Orchestra, United Way of Central Illinois, or a charity of your choosing. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center.