Dr. James William Simpson's Obituary
Dr. James W. "Bill" Simpson, a former resident of Ft. Myers, FL, passed away on Sunday, September 2, 2007 at his home in Mandeville. Bill was born Sept 13, 1924 in Orlando, FL to the late James William Simpson, D.D.S. and Nobie D. Simpson. He attended the University of Florida, Texas A&M and graduated from The School of Medicine, Temple University in 1948. Dr. Simpson always liked to be called Bill as he said that was who he was and Doctor was what he did. During the Korean War, he served as an officer in the United States Public Health Service at the Marine Hospital in Seattle, WA. Subsequent to this, he practiced anesthesiology in Orlando, FL until 1967. Bill suffered from alcoholism and found sobriety at the Caron Institute (formerly known as Chit Chat Farms) in Wernersville, PA, 1968. He enjoyed a complete sobriety for the rest of his life and became a nationally recognized expert in Addictionology. After two years of family practice in Apopka, FL he returned to Caron Institute as the first Medical Director and was the medical consultant in construction of Caron Hospital. In 1977, Dr. Simpson was recruited by Charter Medical Corporation to establish a treatment program for alcoholics and drug addicts in Memphis, TN. He founded this program at Lakeside Hospital in Memphis and was the Medical Director until 1985. Bill returned to Florida in 1986 and practiced Addiction Medicine until 2003. During this time he was Associate Medical Director of the Detox Unit of S.W.F.A.S. Inc. Bill enjoyed a complete sobriety for the rest of his life and became a nationally recognized expert in the practice of Addiction Medicine. He enjoyed the assistance and support of his loving wife Helen, who made major contributions to the care of patient’s families. Bill was an Eagle Scout and was always grateful for the multiple skills and values he learned from Scouting. He felt that this was the start of much of the successful directions in his life. Bill was a keen observer of nature, a skilled gardener, great cook, and an enthusiastic fisherman. He was especially proud of the success he had growing tropical fruits in Mandeville, LA. Bill is survived by his wife of 36 years , Helen Greene Simpson; five children: Charles A. Simpson of Mandeville, LA, Elizabeth W Brubaker of Cocoa , FL, Joyce A. Maxwell of Germantown, TN, J. Allen Simpson of Daphne, AL, Michael A. Simpson of Lehigh Acres , FL and thirteen grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his eldest daughter Anne E. in 1985.
Services are pending at this time.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to Southwest Florida Addiction Services, Detox Unit. 2101 McGregor Blvd. Fort Myers, FL 33901.
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