CHARLES SIMPSON SR.

DEXTER -- Charles Lewis Simpson Sr., 79, of Dexter died Sunday, Jan. 3, 1999, in Cape Girardeau.

He was born July 31, 1919, in Cape Girardeau, son of Arthur E. and Jessie May Underwood Simpson. He and Bessie Ruth Melton were married July 1, 1938, at Dexter.

Simpson was a graduate of Dexter High School and Trevecca Nazarene College in Nashville, Tenn. He served in Patton's 3rd Army during World War II and was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge.

He retired from General Motors, where he worked in the quality control department of Pontiac Motors in Pontiac, Mich. He was a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Dexter, and Disabled American Veterans.

Survivors include his wife; two daughters, Joyce Oliver of Bryan, Texas, Nancy Johnson of Jackson; two sons, Charles Simpson Jr. of Las Vegas, Nev., Bill Simpson of Canton, Mich.; two sisters, Pauline Thornton of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Betty Cato of Marquand; 20 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by a son, four brothers, and two sisters.

Funeral will be at 6 p.m. Sunday at First Church of the Nazarene, with the Rev. Jerold Lake officiating. Private burial will be held later in Dexter Cemetery.

Friends may call at the church Sunday from 4 p.m. until service time.

Watkins and Sons Funeral Home at Dexter is in charge of arrangements.