Bill Linen Simpson

Bill Linen Simpson passed away peacefully on September 5, 2026, at the age of 89. He was a loving husband, stepdad, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. Bill had a quiet, steady way of caring for the people around him, and he became an important part of our lives. His family will remember him with gratitude, affection, and love.

Bill was born on February 15, 1937, near Alamogordo, New Mexico, to Winnie Simpson and James D. Simpson. New Mexico remained home to him for most of his life. He served in the United States Army as a young man and was stationed in Germany, beginning a life marked by hard work, faith, and service.

Bill was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 16, 1948. In 1994, he and his wife, Gloria Hansen, were sealed in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. They shared many years together in Las Cruces, New Mexico, until Gloria passed away in early 2009.

Later that same year, Bill met and married Elizabeth Ann Thomas, known as “Ann.” Their marriage brought Bill into a large and loving family, of Ann’s five children, 16 grandchildren, several great-grandchildren, and extended family members. Bill and Ann continued their life together in Las Cruces before moving to Utah in 2012. Ann passed away in July 2018, but the love and family connections they shared remained an important part of Bill’s life.

Bill especially loved hearing about the activities of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He would light up hearing of their sports, music, and other events. He took genuine joy in seeing them learn, grow, and pursue the things they loved.

Bill was a hardworking man and spent most of his career with the New Mexico Department of Transportation. He was also an avid reader and spent many hours with a book in hand. He enjoyed fiction, historical fiction, westerns, mysteries, biographies, and uplifting and inspiring books of all kinds.

He also enjoyed wood carving and made many wonderful gifts for his family, including nativities and figurines. Bill loved western movies, which earned him the nickname “Billy the Kid” from some family members. He loved his hot sauce and would put it on just about anything, had a weakness for good chocolate, and especially enjoyed a good fried fillet of fish.

Bill will be remembered for his faith, hard work, creativity, love of reading, and genuine interest in the lives of those around him. Most of all, he will be remembered for the quiet ways he showed his love and for the joy he found in his family. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.