Welton C Simpson, Sr. was born on November 22, 1931 in Hawley, Texas to Cyrus and Bernice Simpson. He passed from this life on September 21, 2020, in Houston, Texas. As the eleventh of twelve children, his early life was spent on the family farm just outside Abilene. He graduated from Abilene Christian College in 1953 and then married the love of his life, Betty Sue Baker, that same year in August. Welton, or “Mr. Simpson,” as his students called him, took a job as a History teacher and Driver’s Ed instructor at Pasadena High School. His early years of teaching were briefly interrupted by two years of military service at White Sands, New Mexico in the U.S. Army long-range missile program. When Pasadena’s newest high school opened, Welton was recruited by fellow Christian and mentor, Carter Lomax, to join the faculty of Sam Rayburn High School as a Counselor. After obtaining his Master’s degree in Secondary Education from night school at the University of Houston, he quickly moved into the Associate Principal’s job, where he stayed until his retirement in 1990. He was just a couple of hours shy of his PhD in Education, but decided God and family deserved more of his time. He spent many moments of his career doing his best to get some students to “attend school on a more regular basis.” A few junior and senior boys even became familiar with the “board of education.” He received numerous awards from the district and region during his 36 years of exemplary service, but Welton’s greatest assets were patience, understanding, and the ability to connect with and motivate those students who were often on the fringes, both academically and behaviourally. Former students approached him on numerous occasions to mention the positive impact he had on their lives during their high school years, when it might have been easy for them to slip under the radar, or even drop out of school. By serving others and doing some of the hard work behind the scenes, with little or no recognition, he exemplifies Jesus’ words in Matthew 20:26, “whoever would be great among you must be your servant.”After 36 years in Pasadena, Welton and Betty spent most of their retirement years on 40 acres in beautiful Mountain View, Arkansas, in a home that he built almost entirely by himself. They made many new friends at Eastside Church of Christ in Mountain View. They only recently moved back to the Houston area to be near family. Welton and Betty celebrated 67 wonderful years together on August 21, 2020. He and his family were among the first families to attend the Red Bluff Road Church of Christ in 1956, where he served as a deacon for many years. He later served as an elder at the Parkview Church of Christ before moving to Arkansas. In the last few years they have attended Southside Church of Christ in Pasadena, Texas with other family members. Welton was always greatly appreciated for his extraordinary talent in leading congregational singing in worship services. He had an incredible tenor voice and was also a prolific whistler. Welton was preceded in death by his parents; Sisters, Chloe, Jessie, Margaret, Bonnie and Judy; Brother Otha Maurice (Wally) and one unnamed infant sibling. He is survived by his wife, Betty; Sisters, Billie McCown, Violet Young and Emily Wyatt; Brother, Bobby Simpson; Children, Welton (Dub) Simpson, Jr and wife Sharon, Daniel (Dan) Simpson and wife Kathleen, Robert (Bob) Simpson and wife Jan; Grandchildren Lindsey Simpson, Lacey and husband Tyler Baker, Noah, Kyle and Cole Simpson, Cameron and Colin Strieder, and Braden Simpson, and one great grandson Henry Grayson Baker, born January 2, 2020. He was, without a doubt, the most patient man we ever knew, who touched many lives everywhere he went, and we all were most blessed to have him as a Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend. He leaves a void that can never be filled, but we do not sorrow as those who have no hope; we look to the promise of our resurrection through Jesus Christ, where we shall be reunited for eternity in heaven. A graveside ceremony will be held at the Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery in Abilene, Texas, on Friday, September 25th. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to the American Cancer Society.
In Memoriam