W. Terrell "Bubba" Simpson Jr.

W. TERRELL "BUBBA" SIMPSON, Jr., 82

WINTER HAVEN - W. Terrell Simpson, Jr. died peacefully in his home on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 after a long battle with cancer.
Terrell was born in Winter Haven on February 25, 1928 to Dr. Wiley Terrell Simpson and Elizabeth Rish Simpson. He lived his entire life in this community. He attended local schools and went on to Suwanee Military Academy, Suwanee, Tennessee. Ultimately he graduated from P.K. Young High School in Gainesville, Florida. He stayed in Gainesville, attending the University of Florida to work on his degree in citrus agriculture. While in college he joined the ATO fraternity. He was a proud Gator. A special moment came in New Orleans when he met with Heisman Trophy winner Danny Wuerfful at the Desire Street Ministries.
Upon returning to Winter Haven he embarked on his life's work as a citrus grower and caretaker doing business as Simpson Grove Service. He retired from the caretaking business but continued on until his death managing his own groves. He loved nothing better than "riding the groves"...driving up and down the rows with a practiced eye looking for things that might be a problem but he also appreciated the beauty of nature and thought an orange tree was a lovely sight to behold.
Growing oranges was a labor of love for him. He served as a director of Florida Citrus Mutual and was a member of the Citrus Administrative Committee. He also sat on the boards of Waverly Growers Cooperative and Growers Fertilizer Cooperative.
Terrell was on the board of directors of First Federal Savings and Loan Association of Winter Haven for over 30 years. Terrell was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Haines City. He loved the Lord and often testified to God's saving grace in his life. He was a direct descendant of two signers of the Mayflower Compact and was a true patriot with a deep and abiding love for America and all her opportunities, beauty and greatness.
Following in the footsteps of his parents who were renowned world travelers, Terrell was always eager to see what was down every road. He and Karen traveled to all 50 states; the Canadian provinces much of Western Europe, the Mediterranean and Caribbean.
Terrell was captivated by aviation at an early age and was only 16 years old when he made his first solo flight. He went on to pilot his own airplanes to hunting destinations in the West. He was the consummate outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, boating and was a lifetime member of the Winter Haven Skeet Club where he won tournaments and club championships.
Terrell is survived by his wife of 26 years, Karen, the mother of his children, Barbara Henderson Smith, his children, Barbara Claire (Punkin) Smith, Wiley Terrell (Terry) Simpson, Nancy Ann Fox, Palm Harbor, Florida, 7 grandchildren, Hunter Simpson Smith, Betty Jean Silveira, Harvey Terrell Simpson, Randy Linwood Simpson, Sarah Claire Smith, Zachary Aaron Fox, Parker Fox, a sister Betty Ann Simpson Somers, Chapel Hill, NC and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of Terrell's life will be held on Saturday, October 2nd at the First Presbyterian Church of Haines City, 104 Scenic Highway, Haines City at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Haines City, 104 Scenic Highway, Haines City, Florida, 33844 or Winter Haven Hospital Foundation, 200 Avenue F, NE, Winter Haven, Florida 33881