Willie "Bill" T. Simpson

Willie T. Simpson, 93, of Rockford, Illinois passed away Thursday, June 27, 2019. He was born September 6, 1925 in Iva, South Carolina, the son of Frank D. and Virgil (Evans) Simpson. Willie proudly served in the United States Army. He married Frances May 27, 1957. He was a Christian man who truly loved Jesus and was a longtime member of Samuelson Road Church of the Nazarene. He retired from Reed Chatwood formerly Barber Coleman where he traveled to many different countries installing textile machinery. Willie enjoyed fishing, reading his bible, working in the garage, and always requested bacon and eggs for breakfast. He loved purchasing small electronic gadgets and sometimes even modified them to work better. His favorite TV shows were Wheel of Fortune and Fox News. Willie would often write poems at his computer desk, most of which spoke of the love he had for his family.
Survived by his daughter, Debbie (Bryan) Rossi Shaw; grandchildren, Christopher Rossi, Taylor Silva and Jennifer Silva Smith; great grandchild, TJ Turner; siblings, Randy (Etta) Simpson and Evans (Anne) Simpson. Predeceased by his parents; wife, Frances; sister, Frankie Snyder and stepson, Jack Meade. The family would like to thank Hope Hospice and Healthcare Plus for their care and compassion.
Funeral Service will be held Saturday, July 13, 2019 at 12:00 p.m. at Fitzgerald Funeral Home & Crematory, Mulford Chapel. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until time of service at the funeral home. Burial at Scandinavian Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the family for a cause to be determined.