Charles W. Simpson

SIMPSON, CHARLES W. Charles Wilkins Simpson, known as Wilks to family and friends, has died at his Mount Helix home, four days before his ninety-eighth birthday. Co-founder of the San Diego Watercolor Society, he served as its president from 1965 to 1966 adjucating many exhibits and fostering the society ' s growth. Born in Lewisville, Texas, on September 26, 1905, to Bason DeWitt Simpson and Nannie Leona Wilkins, he was the fourth of eight children. He inherited his mother ' s artistic talent (she had been an art major in college in the 1890 ' s) and after graduating from Denton High School in 1924, ran away to the Chicago Art Institute by painting signs on barns in route. Earning enough on each job to pay for a train ticket to the next town north. In Chicago he worked for Theatrical Poster, Balaban and Katy theatres, and MCA creating posters, print ads and lobby displays. At that time, major motion picture studios also owned theatres and Wilks became Warner Brothers art director for the Midwest. An avid member of the Masonic Order, Englewood Lodge, Chicago, since 1926, in 1951 he became a Shriner supporting all the charitable work that they sponsor. The Methodist Church was also a large part of his life. On a snowy Christmas Eve in 1925 he met the love of his life, Jean Adair, while caroling. They were married five years later, in 1930, at the same church where they met. They had one daughter, Roberta. They were married for sixty-seven years when Jean died in 1997. In 1947, they moved to La Mesa where he began building houses and motels. With a short hiatus in Texas, where he owned a lumber company and construction firm, he returned to La Mesa in 1956. With his return to La Mesa, he had the time to immerse himself in his painting. He formed Wilkins Simpson Studio and hand made mahogany and fitted brass field easels. With the endorsement of famed watercolorist, John Pike, in his book on watercolor techniques, Wilks sold his easels world-wide, thereby opening a new world of international correspondence. Wilks was also instrumental in forming the Foothills Art Association. He is survived by his daughter, Roberta Simpson of La Mesa, his sister Vera Foster of Texas, three granddaughters: Dr. Margaret Grimshaw-White (Dave), of San Diego, Kathryn-Magee Guy (Lorin) of Santa Clara, and Suzanne Stebbins (Steve) of Galt, eleven great-grandchildren: Cas, Adam, Matthew and Maggie Grimshaw, Steffen Guy, Jacob, Brandon, and Morgan Trapp, and Bret, Justin, and Krissy Stebbins. Services will be at El Camino Mortuary Chapel, Saturday, September 27, 2003 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers please send memorials to the San Diego Watercolor Society.