Simpson, James M.

James M. Simpson, age 51, of Clintonville, passed away on Thursday, October 4, 2012, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in the Town of Green Valley, Shawano County, Wisconsin. James Morgan Simpson was born October 18, 1960, in La Crosse, WI, to Vinson (Bud) and Elizabeth (Betty) Simpson. He was raised in La Crosse until his family moved to Wausau where he graduated from Wausau East High School in 1979. Jim met the love of his life, Lynne Williams, and earned a degree in economics from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. Jim loved to joke about his selling futons before joining Toshiba of America in 1984. Jim and Lynne were married on May 17, 1986 in Omaha, NE. After enjoying their before children days in Chicago, Lynne and Jim moved to Clintonville so he could join the family business, Marion Body Works. Jim operated Marion Body Works along with his brother-in-law Curt Ignacio as co-president. Jim was a proud member of the Professional Disc Golf Association and loved to be outside working on his 23-hole course. In his younger days, Jim was a Minocqua Bat Ski Club performer and tennis player. He enjoyed the title of “paid professional” photographer. If you spent much time around Jim he probably got your email address and sent you a photo. He was an avid mountain biker, cross-country and downhill skier, kayaker, and Packer fan. Jim was passionate about land use and participated in the Ultimate Land Use Study Tour, was a Leadership Waupaca County graduate, Class IV, and served on the Waupaca County Natural Resource Foundation Board. He served as treasurer of Christ Congregational United Church of Christ, Clintonville. He used every hour of every day. His humor often flirted with being annoying or stupid but was endearing nonetheless. He never gave up trying to get a laugh. But most of all, he loved spending time with his extended family. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him. Survivors include his wife of 26 years, Lynne, and three sons: Josh (fiancee Alyssa Charlier), Philadelphia, PA; Nathan, Boulder, CO, and James, Tallahassee, FL. He is further survived by his father, Vinson “Bud” Simpson and his wife Brenda Hait, Clintonville; one sister, Nancy (Curt) Ignacio, Clintonville, and their sons, Dan, Charlotte, NC, and Kevin, Athens, GA; a niece, Nicole (Justin) Akers, Fort Lauderdale, FL, and their son, Austin; father and mother-in-law, Robert and Sarah Williams, Omaha, NE; brother-in-law, David Williams and his wife Hilary Benton, Santa Cruz, CA, and their daughters, Rachel (special friend Aaron), Bellingham, WA and Daniella, Portland, OR; sister-in-law, Elaine Williams, her husband, Andrew Hanson, and their daughter, Claire, Lewiston, ID. Jim was preceded in death his mother, Elizabeth Simpson, and sister, Kathleen (Kathie) Zier. A memorial service was held on Monday, October 8th at 11:00 AM at St. Rose Catholic Church, 24 Seventh Street, Clintonville, with Rev. Jill Meyer officiating. Friends called on Sunday from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville, and on Monday from 10:00 AM until time of service at the church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the City of Clintonville for the Olen Park disc golf course, the Nature Conservancy of Wisconsin, or to H.A.N.D.Y. (Helping Abused Neglected Disadvantaged Youth) of Fort Lauderdale, FL. For more details see www.beil-didier.com.