By HDN Staff
CHINOOK Rewis T. "Ted" Simpson, 78, died Saturday, May 27, 2000 at his home in Chinook of natural causes.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the United Methodist Church in Chinook with burial following at Kuper Memorial Cemetery with military honors.
Simpson was born to Rewis Bird Simpson and Amy Nanette Goff-Simpson in Bayard, Neb. on Sept. 30, 1921. His family lived there until they moved to Willows, Calif. in 1922. They moved to Chinook in 1924, where his father helped build the U & I Sugar Factory.
Simpson attended Chinook schools until seventh grade, when the family moved to Fairfield. He attended several high schools, including Simms and Choteau, and worked during those years with the CCC at Glacier Park. He graduated from Fairfield High in 1942.
In July 1942, Simpson joined the U.S. Navy. He attended boot camp in San Diego, Calif. and diesel training at the University of Missouri. He spent 30 months of World War II aboard the USS Agenor in the South Pacific. He completed his service in 1945.
He met Margaret Louise Groneberg and they were married Dec. 7, 1946 in Chinook. He worked for U & I Sugar and then for Chinook Public Schools for 19 years. He also joined the National Guard and retired from the Guard in 1981. The Simpsons purchased the Chinook Hotel in 1974 and made it their home.
Simpson served as Blaine County justice of the peace for a time and was an ambulance driver for a number of years. He was a Boy Scout leader, member of the VFW and was post commander in 1972-73.
Simpson's hobbies included hunting, fishing, golfing, bowling, gardening, outdoor cooking and collecting.
Simpson was preceded in death by his parents; son, Roger, and an infant child.
Survivors include his wife, Margaret of Chinook; daughter, Marsha Bickhart of Oconto Falls, Wis.; sons, Jerry Simpson of Marysville, Wash. and Fred Simpson of Bartlesville, Okla.; sisters, Laurel Walrod of Santa Clara, Calif. and Amy Spencer of San Francisco, Calif.; brother, Don Simpson of Tucson, Ariz.; eight grandchildren, four great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and extended family.
Memorials may be sent to the United Methodist Church or one's choice.
Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.
