William Edward Simpson, (Bill) 89, of Kennewick, Washington, died January 19, 2013. Bill was born March 24, 1923 in Leetonia, Ohio to William and Adelia Simpson, and grew up in Youngstown, Ohio. He joined the Navy and was a pilot at the end of WWII, stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Later, he obtained his engineering degree from the University of Texas (Houston). In 1945 he married Dorothy "Ellen" Rowe, who passed away in 1984. They had two sons, William and David, both now deceased. William married Kathryn Holland (now Koches) in 1965, and Bill loved her as his daughter. Bill worked as a flight instructor, crop duster, draftsman, aerospace engineer on rocket programs at Vandenberg Air Force Base and for Lockheed, and mechanical engineer in Albany, Oregon and at Hanford Nuclear facility until retirement. Bill obtained two U.S. Patents for inventions dealing with cleaning nuclear reactors. He made many lifelong friends, including John Strehlow. John was like a son to Bill. They hiked and mountain-climbed extensively, including summiting Mt. Hood when Mt. St. Helen's erupted. At 50, Bill obtained his black belt in Shorin Ryu Karate. He was an instructor for years, and chief instructor for a Benton County club. In 1986 Bill married Joan Odegard, and they shared 26 wonderful years. He was a Christian and with Joanie attended South Hills and Nazarene Churches of Kennewick. They've provided a loving foster home for homeless pets, in addition to beloved dogs, Taco, Trixie, Tia, Tiny, and Tessa. He enjoyed flying planes; first soloing a Piper cub in 1943, learned aerobatics in a Stearman biplane, and later logged many flight simulator hours. Bill wrote his autobiography in 2003 preserving many stories and pictures. Bill is survived by his wife, Joanie Simpson; daughter, Kathy Koches (Bob); grandchildren, Brian Simpson (Debby), and Wendy Fox (Jay); great-grandchildren, Angel Frye (Bo), Racheal Mock (Blaze), Adam Emmerton, Heather Strickland, Sterling Fox, and Kyelynn Fox; and great-great grandchildren, Ava Lynn Frye, Ezekiel Fry, and Theodore Mock. Services will be held in Kennewick Saturday, February 2 at 1:00 p.m., at Desert Lawn Memorial Park's Pentagon, (1401 South Union) and 2:00 p.m., at Kennewick Church of the Nazarene (2402 South Union) For information contact Ben Sandford (509-438-9147). The family encourages you to share memories at www.muellersfuneralhomes.com/obituaries/William-Simpson. Send memorials to Joanie Simpson, 2502 South Zillah, Kennewick, WA 99337. Bill and Joanie have appreciated all the kindness, love, and support shown them by many family and friends.