Wilbert Simpson (Lebanon )'s Obituary
Wilbert E. Simpson, son of Leo and Meela Moore Simpson, was born May 17, 1922, near Grovespring, Missouri. He departed this life Friday, January 1, 2016, in Lebanon North Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-three years, seven months, and fourteen days.
On May 13, 1944, he was united in marriage to Ina Nadine Johnson, by Rev. Kerr, and to this union two daughters were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife of sixty-six years, Nadine, on December 22, 2010; and a brother and sister-in-law, Wilfred and Dorothy Simpson.
Wilbert is survived by two daughters, Donna Lawson, and her husband, Mike, and Sharon Vincent, and her husband, Ed, all of Lebanon, Missouri; six grandchildren, Erik Lawson, Aaron Lawson, Michelle Orr, Monica Greenway, Mark Vincent, and Melayne Martin; fifteen great-grandchildren, Ashley Lawson, Nicole Lawson, Cody Lawson, Julie Lawson, Zachary Orr, Meredith Orr, Gabrielle Greenway, Jamison Greenway, Jake Vincent, Nate Vincent, Kade Vincent, Anna Martin, Madelyn Martin, Abbi Porter, and Alex Porter; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He attended Story Point School, and then graduated from Lebanon High School in the Class of 1941. He entered the United States Army on August 21, 1944, and served his country faithfully in the 244th Engineer Unit during World War II. He earned several medals and awards before being honorably discharged on June 28, 1946. He and Nadine began farming in the fall of 1946, with a red roan mare and a roan gelding. He operated a dairy farm for many years, and then raised beef cattle. He continued to live on the farm for sixty-eight years. Wilbert sold insurance for Laclede Mutual Insurance and Cameron Insurance Companies for thirty-eight years. He also served on the Laclede Mutual Board of Directors for several years.
Wilbert was saved as a young man and was baptized at Orla Bridge. He was a longtime member of Tabernacle Baptist Church, where he was involved in the Fort Leonard Wood Free Day Away Soldier Ministry for many years.
He was an even tempered man with a generous heart. He loved his family dearly and especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He and Nadine liked to travel and would often take some of the children on summer trips. They also particularly loved Christmastime when everyone would come home.
Wilbert was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will hold tight to the wonderful memories he made for them during his ninety-three years.
Memorial contributions may be made to Gideon's International, and left at the funeral home.
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