William A. "Bill" Simpson

He passed peacefully after an extended battle with cancer and related issues. Referred to as a “legend”, and “one of Athens’ greatest treasures”, Bill was genuinely beloved by literally thousands of people for his friendship, talent, generosity, kindness, sense of community, civic mindedness, love of family, life and God, and perhaps most of all, for his infectious, hilarious, sense of humor.

He was a selfless supporter of his family, his friends, his church, his clients, his city, state, and country, a multitude of charities and service organizations, the University of Georgia, local governments and their agencies, local businesses and businesspeople, and supported goodness, and kindness, whenever and wherever he could, even to being a regular customer at neighboring children’s lemonade stands.

Bill almost never forgot a name, wanted things to work out best for everyone and tried to always do the right thing. He loved people, he loved flowers, especially roses, he loved children, and music, especially children singing, or playing instruments. He loved his old friends, and his new friends, he loved his church and his God. Most of all, Bill loved his family, and more than anything, his late wife Betty.

Bill was born in Greenville NC on September 16, 1929 to James Dudley and Elise Dubose Simpson. His older brothers were Dubose and James Dudley Simpson. His wife of 53 years was Elizabeth Josephine Carter Simpson. He made no distinction between step or half relatives, and so his sons are John Edward Allen, David Carter Allen and William Alexander Simpson Jr. Bill’s daughters-in-law are the late Vonne Allen, Paige Allen, Nancy Allen, and Heather Simpson. His grandchildren are Vonnie Allen Chesser, Adair Allen, Laura Allen, David Allen, Elizabeth Guess, Ben Guess, Daegan Randazzo Simpson, and Rebecca Catherine Simpson. His great grandchildren are Allen Roberts, Payton Roberts, Carter Mundy, and Stancil Chesser.

An Eagle Scout, he later was honored with the Silver Beaver award for lifetime service to Scouting. Bill was manager of the UGA baseball team in college. For many years he was the announcer of the Athens High football games and was for 30 years also the public-address announcer for the University of Georgia Bulldog football games in Sanford Stadium. He also worked in radio as a country-western disc jockey and a sports broadcaster.

In both high school and college, he was in ROTC, which later led to his active service in the US Army. Bill was discharged days prior to being sent to Korea, as the conflict came to a conclusion, with a final rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

Bill was active in Sigma Chi fraternity both in as a member in college, and throughout his life as a devoted alumnus, being instrumental in building the fraternity house formerly on Lumpkin and also serving on the board that oversaw the renovation of the present house in downtown Athens. Bill graduated UGA with a Journalism degree and went to work for C&S Bank in what would later become its marketing department. In the 50’s and 60’s he worked for the University of Georgia as its Director of Public Relations. Bill was editor and publisher of the Georgia Alumni magazine. In 1967 he left the University to found Simpson Associates, an advertising and public relations firm. His clients included dozens of politicians, Athens Federal Savings and Loan, Bulldog Chevrolet Regional Marketing, and Duplicating Systems, among many others.

He was a key leader in the revitalization of downtown Athens, including promoting the first SPLOST initiative, and in particular he was the motivating force behind the original plan and initial development of the Classic Center. Bill has been the campaign manager, publicist, or advisor for so many political figures that had such an impact on Athens, surrounding counties and regions, and even the entire state, that it is impossible to list them all. He had a major effect on the election of sheriffs, commissioners, mayors, state representatives, state senators, and even at least one governor. He was President of the UGA Alumni Society, the Chamber of Commerce, the Touchdown Club of Athens, and many others.

Bill was an active and lifelong member of Athens First United Methodist Church, and a Sunday School teacher for decades in the Tuck, Tumbleweeds, and other classes. He was famous for his Easter Sunday class, which included handing out eggs, and his own Easter song. Bill was a great supporter of mission trips and a frequent participant in the Souper Suppers.

He was on the boards of the Athens Children’s Chorus, Classic Center Authority, and was a Lifetime Member of the Athens Chamber of Commerce, and dozens more during the years. He worked with the United Way, the Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, and many other service organizations.

Bill was a member and lifelong supporter of the Athens YMCA and especially loved the Athens Y Camp, where he was placed in the Hall of Fame in July, 2017.

He was a member of the Gridiron society, and also a founding member of the Old Men’s Lunch group.

He was a piano player extraordinaire, a brilliant songwriter, and an extremely popular entertainer. He was a beloved comedian, and a talented Master of Ceremony for University Athletic banquets, celebrity roasts, and charity fundraising auctions. He also loved to fish.

Bill was the epitome of a people person. Wherever he went, he created warm waves of love and laughter. The wheels inside his clever and creative mind were always turning to come up with just the right words, written, spoken, or sung, and thoughtful acts of kindness to delight the ones he loved. And he loved, and was loved, by everyone he met.

What he did for his family and friends, for the people he met, and even many he didn’t, what he did for Athens, and the University of Georgia, what he did for his church and in the service to his community, can never be measured in dollars, or counted in the number of lives touched. It can only be reflected by the breadth of the smile that lights the faces of those who are thinking of him. It is the way he would want to be remembered.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, April 3 at 11 a.m. at Athens First United Methodist Church. Burial will be private.

Bernstein Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

www.BernsteinFuneralHome.com