Hilton Simpson

Hilton Eugene Simpson, age 80, of Austin, TX died Sunday, February 17, 2008 after an extended battle with Alzheimer's. Hilton was born January 27, 1928 in Alexis, IL to Thomas M. and Florence (Bates) Simpson. He married Beatrice Joy Chandler on October 14, 1950 in Camanche, Iowa. They lived in Camanche until retiring in 1991 when they moved to Austin, TX. She preceded him in death in January of 1997. He married Martha Kidd in June of 1998 in Austin. He moved to an Alzheimer's facility in Las Cruces, NM in 2004. Hilton retired from Enron (Equistar), Clinton, IA in 1991 and had worked previously for DuPont, Clinton, for many years. He had been a member of St. Mark's United Methodist Church in Camanche and was also a member at Parker Lane United Methodist Church in Austin, TX. While in Camanche, he was a very active community volunteer serving many years as a City Councilman and 25 years as a volunteer firefighter. He also was a member of the church choir at both churches and served on many church committees. His beautiful singing voice also led him to several barbershop choruses and quartets in his younger years. Even in his last days, music was a great comfort to him. He enjoyed many hobbies including woodcarving, painting, drawing, photography,and lapidary. He also enjoyed traveling and working crossword puzzles. Hilton was preceded in death by his first wife, his parents, and two sisters. He is survived by his wife Martha Kidd, Dripping Springs,TX; daughters, Karen (Mike) Sakala, of Las Cruces, NM, Kristi Bailey, LeClaire, IA; son, Keith (Helen) Simpson, Elgin, TX; step-daughter Beverly (Jack) McGaffey, Dripping Springs, TX; six grandchildren; Jessica (Aaron) Sangha, Audra, Evan (Katie) and Kyle Bailey, Joshua and Elijah Simpson, four step-grandchildren; Philip and John Sakala and Robin (Ricky) Walters and Kelly (Scott) Garner, and two step-great grandchildren Katy Walters and Jack Casey Garner; brother Loren (Emma) Simpson, Camanche, IA; and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be Friday, February 22, 2008 from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at the Camanche chapel of the Snell-Zornig Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held at St Mark's United Methodist Church in Camanche on Saturday February 23, 2008 at 10:30 am with burial following in Clinton Lawn Cemetery, Clinton. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Mesilla Valley Hospice, Las Cruces, NM.

Hilton Simpson

January 27, 1928 - February 17, 2008