Simpson, Edward J. (Butch)

Edward "Butch" J. Simpson died Thursday, June 13, 2002, in Springfield, Ore., from complications of diabetes and congestive heart failure. He was 62.

There was a celebration of his life on June 18, 2002, at Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Chapel in Cottage Grove, Ore.

Mr. Simpson was born May 6, 1940, to William and Viola (Allen) Simpson in Cottage Grove. He attended Cottage Grove High School, and married Nellie J. Hepner in Cottage Grove on May 8, 1959. He served in the National Guard from 1958 to 1964. He lived in Soldotna, AK for 21 years and worked on the oil platforms in Cook Inlet, before moving to Springfield, OR. He was a roustabout foreman and also was a truck driver for many years.

He enjoyed camping, spending time with family, fishing, hunting and working on cars. Mr. Simpson also was a member of the Moose Lodge in Cottage Grove and of the Elks Lodge in Kenai.

He was preceded in death by his father, William Simpson, and sister, Charlotte Paul.

Mr. Simpson is survived by his wife of 42 years, Nellie; his daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia and Paul Sugar of Juneau; two sons and their wives, Dan and wife, Kara Simpson of Soldotna and Darren and Leah Simpson of Santee, Calif.; mother, Viola Perry of Gresham, OR; stepmother, Margarette Simpson of Hudson, Fla.; brothers, Thomas Simpson of Prineville, Ore., Lester Simpson of Hood River, Ore., and Norville Perry of Gresham, Ore.; sisters, Pamela Stacey of Gresham and Beverly Hert of Hudson; and grandchildren, Tiana, Eric, Kate and Courtney Simpson.

Memorial contributions were to be made to the American Diabetes Association, P.O. Box 2680, North Canton, Ohio, 44720.

Arrangements were made by Smith-Lund-Mills Funeral Home in Cottage Grove.

(The picture below is just a scan from the newspaper. If anyone has a better photo (color preferred), I would love to add it to this entry. Thanks!)