William L. "Bill" Simpson, Jr.

William L. “Bill” Simpson, Jr., age 87, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on Thursday May 4, 2023, after a prolonged illness. Born in Wilmington, DE, in 1935, he was the son of the late William L. Simpson, Sr. and Elizabeth (Laws) Burtell. Bill enjoyed 67 years of marriage with his wife, Doris, who he swept off the firehouse dance floor and provided with a lifetime of love. Hard working, often holding multiple jobs to provide for his family, Bill worked as a tile setter for Union Local 1 and Roofers Local 30 for 30 years, retiring as shop steward in 2003. Bill most enjoyed spending time with his family and friends and had a love of the outdoors. Bill and his family camped at Duck Neck Campground in Maryland, and Cherrystone Campground in Virginia, for many years, where they fished, crabbed, dug for clams, boated and played lots of cards. He also enjoyed hunting with his son and friends throughout Delaware. Bill often spent time with his neighbors and enjoyed woodworking and helping friends with house additions or repairs, all of which included a lot of laughing, camaraderie and a few bad haircuts. Bill and Doris shared many evenings making candles, helping Doris with sewing and embroidery projects, solving puzzles, or listening to his audio books. In later years Bill and Doris traveled extensively and especially enjoyed taking cruises to Alaska, the Panama Canal, the Caribbean, Bermuda and the Bahamas. They enjoyed many impromptu road trips from Maine to Florida. When not on the go, Bill and Doris relaxed in the “back room” of their house of 60 years, watching the birds, squirrels, rabbits and even a couple of chickens for a while. Bill’s love of nature was often the subject of conversations with friends and family, and he was always on the lookout for wildlife on their many road trips. Bill was kind and always full of good humor and took great pride in the achievements of his children and grandchildren. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother, he is survived by his wife, Doris; three children, Dean (Char), Dottie, and Leslie Brennan (Tim); three grandchildren, Lindsey Barone (Nick), Gillian Brennan and Cara Brennan; sister, Barbara Downward; brother, Ronald Burtell; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother, Richard Burtell; and step father, Lewis Burtell. The Simpson family would like to thank Mill Creek Fire Co. and the staff of Christiana Care, especially the nurses of the Cardiovascular 4E unit and AccentCare Hospice, who treated Bill with dignity and compassion in his final days. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Thursday, May 11, 2023, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a funeral service will begin at 11 am. Interment will follow in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 North DuPont Highway, New Castle, DE. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s memory to the Mill Creek Fire Company, PO Box 5034, Marshallton, DE 19808 or online by clicking here.

William L. "Bill" Simpson, Jr.

September 26, 1935 - May 4, 2023