Henry Richard "Hank" Simpson

Henry (Hank) Richard Simpson, age 96, passed away of age-related complications on November 12, 2025, in Baptist Health Springhill Medical Hospital, North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Henry was born in Coffeeville, Mississippi on June 21, 1929, to the late Benjamin Thomas and Mable Simpson. Henry graduated from Coffeeville High School in 1946. After high school he enlisted into the Air Force, becoming one of the very first enlisted members of the newest branch of the military, the New Air Force where he spent 26 years traveling and living around the world. Greenland, in the dead of Winter was his least favorite assignment. For the first four years of his career, he worked as a mechanic then became a flight engineer where he logged several thousands of hours in the air traveling around the world on many different types of military aircrafts. He flew missions in both the Korean and Vietnam wars. If you spent enough time with Henry, you may have been lucky enough to hear one of his stories. Stories like the last cargo plane on the runway with all it could carry to include Americans and G. I's while a few stragglers were running to catch the aircraft while it was starting to move. Sounded like something out of a movie set. `

During his assignment on the East Coast in 1957 Henry met Ellen (Nelle) Bennett at The USO (United Service Organizations) in Brockton, Massachusetts. They married on December 6th, 1957. Henry and Ellen went on to have two children, Thomas and Catherine Simpson. During Henry's military career the family lived in New Hampshire, Japan, Germany, and Arkansas.

In 1972, Henry retired out of Little Rock Air Force Base as a Master Sergeant, having put in 26 years. Henry enjoyed his Military Career. After the military he became another government employee with the U.S. Post Office. He spent 20 years with the Post Office before retiring completely in 1992.

As a devoted husband, Henry spent his time caring for his wife Nelle who had M.S. till her passing in 2003. He enjoyed gardening and traveling. He grew spicy peppers in his garden, and every year he picked the spiciest pepper seeds to replant the following year. They got so hot they would make your nose run and best enjoyed with a glass of milk.

Henry traveled with his son Tom, daughter-in-law, Robin and granddaughter Whitney to Alaska and several national parks out west. Henry also did his own road trip up through Wisconsin, into Canada and down through the Eastern States of the east coast. He made it to every state in the U.S. except Oregon. He visited Colorado frequently where his son lived and where he would enjoy playing checkers with Whitney and attend several of Robin's famous New Year's Eve parties where he was always a hit with the guests. He enjoyed drives into the mountains, fishing on occasion and helping out if needed.

He was loved and respected dearly, and we will miss his smile and wonderful sense of humor, his calm nature and his fun stories of the past.

Along with his parents, Henry is preceded in death by his wife Ellen (Bennett) Simpson; Son, Thomas Simpson; Siblings, Lindsey Simpson, Dorothy Glenn, Marie Pittman, Frances Johnson, Sue Hutchinson and Lorraine Henrickson.

Henry is survived, by his daughter Catharine (Simpson) and her husband Jack Starr and Henry's grandchild Whitney Simpson and daughter-in-law Robin Simpson, two step-grandchildren Dana and Nick Starr, and four nieces and two nephews.

There will be a private graveside service at Elam Cemetery in Coffeeville, Mississippi where Henry will be laid to rest next to his wife, Ellen.

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