William M. “Bill” Simpson

William M. “Bill” Simpson, a lifelong educator of the deaf, died August 10, 2022 at Grace Ridge Retirement Community.  Bill’s beloved wife of 50 years, Mikki, passed away in 2009.  Bill is survived by his two sons, Kevin and Scott.  Mr. Simpson became deaf from meningitis at the age of five.  He grew up in Seattle where he attended grade and high schools.  He received a B.A. from Gallaudet University in 1951 and an M.A. from California State University in Northridge in 1966.

Following two years as a dormitory counselor at the Arizona School for the Deaf and Blind, Bill began 37 years of association with the North Carolina Schools for the Deaf as a teacher, principal and administrator.  He was assistant superintendent at the Central North Carolina School for the Deaf in Greensboro from 1977 to 1979.  He also served as acting superintendent at the North Carolina School for the Deaf in Morganton for the 1990-91 school year.  He retired in 1992.  A singular event was in sharing dedication honors for the Simpson-Williams Physical Education Facility at the Central School. 

From 1971 through 1990, Bill gave much of his free time to the American Athletic Association of the Deaf as a member of the US Team Committee, charged with the overall responsibility of bringing an American team to the World Games for the Deaf site every four years.  As Chair of the Committee from 1982-90, he was involved with the planning for the Games in Los Angeles and Christchurch, New Zealand.

The funeral service will be held on August 27 (Saturday) at 2 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in Morganton (303 S. King St.), with the Rev Dr. Marshall A. Jolly officiating.  Inurnment will follow in the columbarium behind the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to Gallaudet University, Development Office, 800 Florida Ave. N.E., Washington, DC 20002 or to the NSCD Museum Fund, 517 W. Fleming Dr., Morganton, NC  28655.

Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.