William Mansfield Simpson

William Mansfield Simpson, of Danville, Kentucky, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on August 16, 2025, at the age of 81. Born on February 16, 1944 to Arthur and Loretta Simpson in Washington, D.C. He later moved to Baltimore, MD.

Bill graduated with a BS in Engineering from Loyola College in Baltimore then a Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Iowa. After graduation he served as a Captain in the Air Force. He later joined Corning Glass Works in Corning, NY. At Corning, he received two patents and was involved with the start-up teams for fiber optics in Wilmington, NC, and Gorilla Glass for electronic devices in Harrodsburg, Kentucky.

Bill was very involved in the Danville community serving as Chair of the Salvation Army Board, was start-up team leader for the Hope Clinic & Pharmacy, and served as President of the Parish Council at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church. After his early retirement from Corning, he was project manager for building six Habitat for Humanity homes. He continued working with Habitat on new builds every year. More recently he served on the Bluegrass Community Technical College Foundation Board and The Pioneer Vocational Industrial Services Board.

His favorite activity was riding his bicycle on back country roads. He loved the challenge of biking up Catholic Knob in Forkland. During his early days with Habitat for Humanity he did several bike riding fundraisers-one from Louisville to Atlanta and several others in Minnesota. 

Time with his family was important to him whether Family Reunions at Wrightsville Beach, NC, in the summer or going to his grandsons' soccer and lacrosse games. He was always up for a game of street hockey with the boys. One special event was running a "family team" marathon with his three children, Tim, Mark, and Kelly in Baltimore, MD several years ago.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Kathleen K. Simpson, his sons Timothy W. Simpson and Mark E. Simpson (Tamara) and daughter Kelly L. Simpson; his beloved grandchildren Kayla, Nathan, Eli, and Ben. As well as his sister, Anne Lynn King (Brian), and his brother-in-laws Joe Kelly (Judy) and Charlie Kelly (Cleo) of Baltimore, MD and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be on Wednesday August 20, 2025 from 5-7pm at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church. A funeral mass will be held on Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 10am at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church. A memorial celebration and burial will be held in Baltimore, MD, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations are suggested to the Salvation Army Summer Camp or Bluegrass Community Technical College Foundation. 

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