James E. “Jim” Simpson, 82, of Gameland Road, Chicora, passed away early Friday morning, November 22, 2019 at UPMC Presbyterian in Pittsburgh.
James was born in Butler on October 26, 1937. He was the son of the late Stanley W. and Isabel M. Wenner Simpson.
Jim was of the protestant faith. He was a 1955 graduate of Fairview Township Karns City High School, and a 1958 graduate of Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh. He was a US Army veteran, serving from 1960 to 1962. In his earlier years, Jim was employed at Nationwide Insurance Co. in Butler, Pullman Standard, WITCO Chemical in Petrolia, and the Pennsylvania State Liquor Store. He retired from AK Steel in 2002. After retirement, Jim worked at the Butler Country Club for four years. Jim was a well-known and talented athlete and played on and managed many different baseball teams in the Fairview and Chicora area. He was a member of the Butler County Horseshoe Pitching League, and the Butler County Horseshoe Hall of Fame. He was a longtime member of Happy Hunters Sportsman Club in Fenelton and the club’s horseshoe league. He was an avid golfer and was a member of the Tuesday morning traveling golfer’s group. He also enjoyed watching the Steelers and Pirates.
James is survived by his wife, Inez R. Evans Simpson, whom he married at Saint Patrick Church in Brady’s Bend, on September 5, 1964. Also surviving is a son, Steven J. Simpson and his wife, Kelli, of Cheyenne, Wyoming; his sister, Diana Steffan of Butler, as well as a number of nieces, nephews, cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Janet Simpson Preston, infant siblings Charles Thomas and Stacie Lynn Simpson, as well as a number of brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Friends will be received at the Hile Funeral Home of Chicora, 339 Chicora Fenelton Road, Chicora, from 4 – 7 p.m. Tuesday. A funeral service will follow from the funeral home at 7:00 p.m. with the Rev. Dennis Barger, officiating. Interment will be in Bear Creek Cemetery in Petrolia. For additional information or to send a condolence, please visit www.hilefh.com.