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Vollis Simpson Obituary
Beth Liles of Joyner's Funeral Home confirmed the death Saturday. Simpson's wife, Jean Simpson, was quoted by the Wilson Daily Times (http://bit.ly/18FgX8U) as saying that her husband died Friday in his sleep at his home in the town of Lucama.
Jean Simpson also was quoted by the paper as saying that her husband had received a successful heart valve replacement in February but experienced some complications.
Simpson became known for his whirligigs, wind-driven creations that stand as high as 50 feet and are constructed from recycled parts including motor fans and cotton spindles.
He built the contraptions on land near his machine shop in Lucama, about 35 miles east of Raleigh. More than 30 of them were on display there until last year, when an effort to restore them began. The Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park is scheduled to open in November in Wilson, about 50 miles east of Raleigh.
Simpson's creations have also captured national attention, with buyers including a shopping center in Albuquerque, the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore and the American Folk Art Museum in New York City. Four of them were also put on display at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.
Last month, the North Carolina House approved a measure making whirligigs the state's official folk art.
The whirligigs weigh as much as 3 tons and have hundreds of moving parts. They're folk art or what's also known as outsider art, works created by someone without formal arts training.
Neither did Simpson have a formal engineering degree. But that didn't stop him from constructing a motorcycle with a bicycle and a stolen motor when he was an Air Force staff sergeant on Saipan during World War II. He also built tow trucks for moving houses.
In an interview last summer, Simpson told The Associated Press he was conflicted about the park in his honor. He said he knew he could no longer care for his creations if they stayed at home with him, but he felt lonely without them.
"I just hope I live to see it," he said of the park.
MARTHA WAGGONER, Associated Press
Copyright © 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
17 Entries
Lucille Langley Trent
November 13, 2014
Oh how proud each family member should be of Vollis Simpson. a true artist that shared his talent and so many knew his name and talent from so many states.
WE were cousins, my grandfather who was Joseph Simpson, my Mom was Dixie Simpson. It had been many years since I had seen him but, kept up with his work. May he rest in peace and we appreciate all he did for everyone.
Sandra (Simpson) Randall
June 17, 2013
May God bless you in your time of sorrow. (My father was Wade Simpson). I enjoyed the article in Our State magazine-such a nice tribute!
Mycena Dickerson
June 4, 2013
Dear Family, we have truly lost a wonderful artist ! Some of us didn't know Mr.Simpson personally but we knew his art and how it made us feel. How we all long for Gods Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven for only then will people live forever on earth to continue to develop such beautiful art and share that joy with others ! (Matthew6:9,10)
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Jacqui Hawkins
June 3, 2013
The Hawkins Family sends our condolences.
Anna Stancil
June 2, 2013
Carol, my prayers go out to you and the rest of your family at this difficult time. Heaven gained a great man.
michelle plakas-kaiser
June 2, 2013
rip
kim moore
June 2, 2013
Mr. Simpson was a great man who will be missed by many. I had the pleasure of introducing my students to his work last summer. May his memory live forever in his work!
June 2, 2013
Offering my deepest condolences during this difficult time, I'm so very sorry for your loss, death is something we are never prepared for, but please find comfort in knowing sickness, pain and death will one day be no more.
RoseEllen Bronson
June 2, 2013
You were a great man and a great artist. Everyone that was able to meet you loved you. My prayers are with your lovely wife and family. Heaven certainly gained one amazing angel.
Carol Ritter Wright
June 2, 2013
My husband and I went miles out of our way to see his remarkable works while we were driving to Florida a few years ago. Now I can see one of his huge pieces any time I want at the American Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore. It's too bad he couldn't live to see his works in the new park designed just for them. What a genius! The world could stand several more Vollis Simpsons.
June 2, 2013
May you find comfort in happy memories of your loved one.
Nancy Forman Eaton
June 2, 2013
Dear Simpson Family:
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr Simpson several times when I would take visitors to Wilson out to see his works. He was truly gifted and his whirligigs stand as a great memorial to his craft.
With deepest sympathy
June 1, 2013
10:52PM
6/1/2012
TO: Vollis Simpson and family
Just wanted to dropped you the loss of your loved one.It's the little things, the small, everyday occurrences that you'll remember. The laughs, the stories, the smiles. And even though it seems like you can never recover from your loss, it is these very memories that will help push the pain away and bring back the smiles.
Let President Barack Obama know through his email,fax,letter,phone,visit that Kimtraila has said her last respecit for Mr. Vollis Simpson
God Bless, and God Bless Americns.
God Bless you, and God bless America
Kimtraila Williams
Dwayne Bickham
June 1, 2013
in God's care rest in peace
June 1, 2013
My sympathies to the Vollis' surviving family and friends. There is an Artist as well who constructed all things. (Hebrews 3:4) This Artist desires his creations to live forever and may you find comfort in that fact. God loves you. (John 3:16)
Tom McPeak
June 1, 2013
What a great "artist". I remember seeing his work on "American Pickers" episode. RIP fellow artist!
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