1925
Billie
2013
Billie Joe Simpson
August 25, 1925 — June 27, 2013
Billie Joe Simpson, 87 years old
Rio Hondo, Texas
God reached down and took one of his angels to be with him on Thursday, June 27, 2013. Billie Joe, a man who served the Lord, was born in Wingate, Texas. He came to Rio Hondo in 1946 after discharging from the Navy. It was in Rio Hondo that he met the love of his life, Martha Mize Simpson. They were married for 55 years when she went to be with the Lord on June 25, 2002.
A devoted father, he was involved in his children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-children’s activities. He was an avid farmer and rancher for more than 65 years. He made many contributions to the community including helping to bring a better and more reliable water source to the rural community in eastern Cameron County, serving on the Board of Trustees for Valley Baptist Health System over 38 years, 9 of those as Chairman, serving on the Cameron County FSA board, serving on the Rio Hondo School Board as President for 12 years and many others.
Billie Joe was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Rio Hondo and served as a Deacon for many, many years. He was a Mason for over 50 years, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a Shriner. Much of his time was spent helping youth in the community including serving on numerous committees for the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. His hobbies were farming, ranching, flying in his earlier years and spending time with family.
He is survived by his children: Sue Ann Taubert (J. B.) of Rio Hondo, Billie Mack Simpson (Debbie) of Rio Hondo, and Beverly Skloss (Ervin) of South Padre Island. Grandchildren, Brady Taubert (Karen) of Harlingen, Anna Lee Stanko (Delmer) of Harlingen, Willis Taubert (Lela) of Cotton Center, Roger McElwrath (Jaime) of Corinth, Billie D Simpson (Stephanie) of Rio Hondo, Jana Clarke (Scott) of La Vernia, and Natalie Simpson of Harlingen. Great-grandchildren, Taylor Clarke, Paige Stanko, Carly Taubert, Clay Simpson, Morgan Stanko, Elyse Taubert, Mackie Simpson, Bristol Taubert, Dryden Taubert, and Abigail Clarke. Brothers: Gene Barker of California and Bobby Ray Poe (Connie) of Washington State, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and many wonderful friends and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Virginia Simpson, his parents Willis and Annie Simpson, Aunt Brazoria and Uncle Roy, his brother, Dixon Barker, A. L. Smith who was like a second father to him, and Dane L. Smith, who he thought of as a brother.
Visitation hours will be from 1pm to 9pm with the family present from 5pm to 8pm, Sunday, June 30, 2013, at the Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at the Rio Hondo Baptist Church, 11am, Monday, July 1, 2013 with Rev. Gene Horton officiating. Burial will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Brady Taubert, Willis Taubert, Roger McElwrath, Billie D Simpson, Scott Clarke, Delmer Stanko, and Eben Norman, whom he thought of as a son. Honorary pallbearers will be Rio Hondo Baptist Church Deacons, Eddie Caughfield, Nathan Winters, Bob Duncan, Bob Knight, Ben McKibbens, Dr. Bruce Leibert, David Newell, Don Waters, Tom Rowe, Jack Scoggins, Brian McManus, Dennis Moody, Matthew, Michael, Mark, and Mitchell McCarthy and a host of other friends.
Special thanks to all the physicians and staff at Valley Baptist Family Practice Residency Program for the wonderful care they give to all their patients.
For those desiring to do so, memorial donations may be made to: Rio Hondo Baptist Church, P. O. Box 279, Rio Hondo, Texas 78583 or charity of your choice.
Billie Joe will be most remembered for his devotion to family and friends, his generosity towards others, his integrity and honesty, and his love for farming and ranching.
Rio Hondo, Texas
God reached down and took one of his angels to be with him on Thursday, June 27, 2013. Billie Joe, a man who served the Lord, was born in Wingate, Texas. He came to Rio Hondo in 1946 after discharging from the Navy. It was in Rio Hondo that he met the love of his life, Martha Mize Simpson. They were married for 55 years when she went to be with the Lord on June 25, 2002.
A devoted father, he was involved in his children’s, grandchildren’s, and great-children’s activities. He was an avid farmer and rancher for more than 65 years. He made many contributions to the community including helping to bring a better and more reliable water source to the rural community in eastern Cameron County, serving on the Board of Trustees for Valley Baptist Health System over 38 years, 9 of those as Chairman, serving on the Cameron County FSA board, serving on the Rio Hondo School Board as President for 12 years and many others.
Billie Joe was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Rio Hondo and served as a Deacon for many, many years. He was a Mason for over 50 years, a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, and a Shriner. Much of his time was spent helping youth in the community including serving on numerous committees for the Rio Grande Valley Livestock Show. His hobbies were farming, ranching, flying in his earlier years and spending time with family.
He is survived by his children: Sue Ann Taubert (J. B.) of Rio Hondo, Billie Mack Simpson (Debbie) of Rio Hondo, and Beverly Skloss (Ervin) of South Padre Island. Grandchildren, Brady Taubert (Karen) of Harlingen, Anna Lee Stanko (Delmer) of Harlingen, Willis Taubert (Lela) of Cotton Center, Roger McElwrath (Jaime) of Corinth, Billie D Simpson (Stephanie) of Rio Hondo, Jana Clarke (Scott) of La Vernia, and Natalie Simpson of Harlingen. Great-grandchildren, Taylor Clarke, Paige Stanko, Carly Taubert, Clay Simpson, Morgan Stanko, Elyse Taubert, Mackie Simpson, Bristol Taubert, Dryden Taubert, and Abigail Clarke. Brothers: Gene Barker of California and Bobby Ray Poe (Connie) of Washington State, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and many wonderful friends and extended family.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Virginia Simpson, his parents Willis and Annie Simpson, Aunt Brazoria and Uncle Roy, his brother, Dixon Barker, A. L. Smith who was like a second father to him, and Dane L. Smith, who he thought of as a brother.
Visitation hours will be from 1pm to 9pm with the family present from 5pm to 8pm, Sunday, June 30, 2013, at the Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at the Rio Hondo Baptist Church, 11am, Monday, July 1, 2013 with Rev. Gene Horton officiating. Burial will follow at Mont Meta Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be grandsons: Brady Taubert, Willis Taubert, Roger McElwrath, Billie D Simpson, Scott Clarke, Delmer Stanko, and Eben Norman, whom he thought of as a son. Honorary pallbearers will be Rio Hondo Baptist Church Deacons, Eddie Caughfield, Nathan Winters, Bob Duncan, Bob Knight, Ben McKibbens, Dr. Bruce Leibert, David Newell, Don Waters, Tom Rowe, Jack Scoggins, Brian McManus, Dennis Moody, Matthew, Michael, Mark, and Mitchell McCarthy and a host of other friends.
Special thanks to all the physicians and staff at Valley Baptist Family Practice Residency Program for the wonderful care they give to all their patients.
For those desiring to do so, memorial donations may be made to: Rio Hondo Baptist Church, P. O. Box 279, Rio Hondo, Texas 78583 or charity of your choice.
Billie Joe will be most remembered for his devotion to family and friends, his generosity towards others, his integrity and honesty, and his love for farming and ranching.
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