3/26 Recent Reported Deaths

William Frederick Simpson, Jr. was born in Kinston, NC on January 24, 1945 to William F. Simpson, Sr. and Geraldine S. Simpson.

After graduating from Pink Hill High School in 1963 he attended the UNC-Chapel Hill graduating in 1967. Shortly thereafter he joined the United States Marine Corps and reported to Quantico, VA for Officers Candidate School.

Upon completion of OCS & TBS, he was assigned to the 3rd Marine Division headquartered in Dong Ha, Vietnam. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines as a rifle company platoon commander with “Mike” Company and subsequently with “Lima” Company.

While serving in Vietnam, he received the following decorations: Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device, USMC Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device, Vietnamese Service Medal with three stars, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with palm and frame.

Upon completion of his tour of duty in Vietnam he was assigned to “Charlie” Company, 1st Battalion, 8th Marines, 2nd Marine Division and stationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina as Executive Officer. He then was deployed to the Mediterranean with Battalion Land Team 1/8 for a period of six months. While deployed he was made Company Commander of “Charlie” Company and served in that capacity until he was released from active duty in December 1970 with the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He received an Honorable Discharge from the Corps with the rank of Captain on October 9, 1974.

Fred, as lovingly known to most, attended Oklahoma City University School of Law in 1972 and graduated with his J.D. degree in February 1975. Following in the footsteps of his father, he returned to Lenoir County after graduation to open his own law practice. He practiced law in Lenoir County and surrounding areas for over 40 years before retiring in 2021.

In 1981, Fred married Joan (Reynolds) Simpson, also from Lenoir County. Together, they raised two children whom they love dearly. Fred was active in his community serving in the Masons, as part of St Johns Lodge No. 4, and the Lenoir County Shrine Club. He was well known for his passion for the great outdoors, particularly fishing and hunting, and sitting around the country store with his friends just telling tall tales.

The last five months have been another battle in Fred’s life, one that no one could have foreseen. As with any trial before, he fought courageously, wanting nothing more than to come home. On the eve of November 1, 2023, the trumpets sounded and God called His warrior to His home, and like a good marine, he answered that call and he is now walking in the Lord’s Army.

Fred was preceded in death by his father WIlliam Frederick Simpson, Sr. of Pink Hill, his mother Geraldine Stroud Simpson King of Pink Hill, and nephew Colbey Pharr of Pittsboro.

Fred is survived by wife, Joan Reynolds Simpson, of the home; son William Frederick Simpson, III “Trey” (Heather) of Kinston; daughter Wendy Morris Riggs (Eddie) of Kinston; grandchildren Ava and Jackson Simpson of Kinston, Caroline McCoy (Chris), Katherine Wood (Tyler), and Rachel Riggs all of Cove City; and great-grandchildren Alyssa McCoy, Madison Wood, and Jennifer Wood all of Cove City; siblings Annette Taylor of New Bern, Terry Simpson of Raleigh, Russ Simpson (Carol) of Greensboro, Beverly Pharr (Bruce) of Pittsboro; and a number of nieces and nephews.

Service will be held at Pink Hill Funeral Home, 1056 N NC Highway 11, Pink Hill, NC 28572 at 3:00 pm on Sunday, November 5, 2023 with Reverend Hank Jarman officiating. Graveside services with military honors will follow at Oak Ridge Memorial Park, 985 N NC Highway 11, Pink Hill, NC 28572 and visitation will follow at the graveside. Memorial contributions may be made to Vietnam Veterans of America DAV (Disabled American Veterans).

(Posted November 2023)

Richard Lee Hamilton, 82, of Galveston passed away peacefully at 12:18 a.m. Friday, October 20, 2023 at Howard Community Hospital in Kokomo. Born September 27, 1941 to Clyde and Esther Hamilton, Richard was a determined, hard-working individual from the start. He joined the Marines at age 17 and proudly boxed Golden Gloves while in the Marine Corps.  After four years, he returned to finish high school at Kokomo High School in 1963 where he met his life-long love, Patricia, marrying her on July 3, 1965. In 1966, he re-enlisted in the Marines, serving 14 months in Vietnam as a Platoon Sergeant with the 3/26 Marines India Company in and around Con Thien, receiving a Purple Heart. After his time with the Marines, he returned to Kokomo where he worked at Continental Steel and Chrysler for more than 40 years.

Richard lived a fulfilling life of outstanding accomplishments. He was a dedicated Marine, friend, husband, father and grandfather. When he was not working, he was attending a swim meet, football game, band competition, or baseball game supporting his children and grandchildren. He loved vacationing with his family and traveling the country to spend time with his fellow Marine Corps veterans. He recently was honored with fellow Purple Heart recipients on the Honor Flight for Veterans, flying to Washington D.C. and enjoying camaraderie of other military friends in August of 2023.

Richard is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Hamilton, his sister, Shirley Smith of Danville, IL, and his 3 daughters: Heather (Ken) Diaz, Galveston, IN; Melainie (Matt) Hardin, Kokomo, IN; and Megan (Walter) Bennett, Roann, IN. He was blessed with 11 grandchildren: surviving grandchildren – Jordan (Emerson) Bowling, Salt Lake City, UT; Brynna Diaz, Kokomo, IN; Hallie Diaz, Galveston, IN; Cody Hardin and fiancé Cassidy, Virgina Beach, VA; Brooke Hardin, Indianapolis, IN; Maison Hardin, Muncie, IN; and Cale Bennett, Evan Bennett, Beau Bennett, and Chloe Bennett, Roann, IN. He has three surviving nieces and one surviving nephew.

He was preceded in death by his son, Heath Hamilton, his grandson, Cameron Diaz, his sister, Carolyn Davenport, and his parents.  Services to honor Richard will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 2pm at Murray-Weaver Funeral Home, Galveston. Visitation will be held from 12pm-2pm.  Memorial contributions in Richard’s name can be made to the Purple Heart Foundation at https://purpleheartfoundation.org/donate/ .

(Posted October 2023)

Cpl. Perley H Morse Jr. passed away peacefully at home September 24th 2023 in Longmont Colorado after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Staten Island, New York on August 27th, 1946 to Perley Morse Senior and Helen Morse. He entered the Marine Corps at the age of 18 and served in Vietnam, surviving the Battle of Khe Sanh, until being wounded in June 1968 by an 82 mm mortar. He received the Purple Heart and was medically retired from the Marines. He worked for the State of NH Corrections Department, reaching the rank of Lieutenant, and retired after 30 years of service. 

He is survived by his wife Marie, daughters Marissa and Lea, son Kamal and his grandsons, Ronin and Quintin, who he loved very much. He also leaves his sister Helen, nieces and a nephew.

He was a wonderful storyteller, wood carver and friend to so many. There was nothing he loved more than to make others laugh. He will be missed by so many more than can be named here.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Rocky Mountain Cancer Center (https://rayofhopecolorado.org/rmcc/) for the care and extra years of joy we all got to enjoy with him.  Services will be held in Bow, New Hampshire in the spring.

(Posted September 2023)

Richard Lee Hamilton, 82, of Galveston passed away peacefully at 12:18 a.m. Friday, October 20, 2023 at Howard Community Hospital in Kokomo. Born September 27, 1941 to Clyde and Esther Hamilton, Richard was a determined, hard-working individual from the start. He joined the Marines at age 17 and proudly boxed Golden Gloves while in the Marine Corps.  After four years, he returned to finish high school at Kokomo High School in 1963 where he met his life-long love, Patricia, marrying her on July 3, 1965. In 1966, he re-enlisted in the Marines, serving 14 months in Vietnam as a Platoon Sergeant with the 3/26 Marines India Company in and around Con Thien, receiving a Purple Heart. After his time with the Marines, he returned to Kokomo where he worked at Continental Steel and Chrysler for more than 40 years.

Richard lived a fulfilling life of outstanding accomplishments. He was a dedicated Marine, friend, husband, father and grandfather. When he was not working, he was attending a swim meet, football game, band competition, or baseball game supporting his children and grandchildren. He loved vacationing with his family and traveling the country to spend time with his fellow Marine Corps veterans. He recently was honored with fellow Purple Heart recipients on the Honor Flight for Veterans, flying to Washington D.C. and enjoying camaraderie of other military friends in August of 2023.

Richard is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Hamilton, his sister, Shirley Smith of Danville, IL, and his 3 daughters: Heather (Ken) Diaz, Galveston, IN; Melainie (Matt) Hardin, Kokomo, IN; and Megan (Walter) Bennett, Roann, IN. He was blessed with 11 grandchildren: surviving grandchildren – Jordan (Emerson) Bowling, Salt Lake City, UT; Brynna Diaz, Kokomo, IN; Hallie Diaz, Galveston, IN; Cody Hardin and fiancé Cassidy, Virgina Beach, VA; Brooke Hardin, Indianapolis, IN; Maison Hardin, Muncie, IN; and Cale Bennett, Evan Bennett, Beau Bennett, and Chloe Bennett, Roann, IN. He has three surviving nieces and one surviving nephew.

He was preceded in death by his son, Heath Hamilton, his grandson, Cameron Diaz, his sister, Carolyn Davenport, and his parents.  Services to honor Richard will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 2pm at Murray-Weaver Funeral Home, Galveston. Visitation will be held from 12pm-2pm.  Memorial contributions in Richard’s name can be made to the Purple Heart Foundation at https://purpleheartfoundation.org/donate/ .

(Posted September 2023)

Richard Lee Hamilton, 82, of Galveston passed away peacefully at 12:18 a.m. Friday, October 20, 2023 at Howard Community Hospital in Kokomo. Born September 27, 1941 to Clyde and Esther Hamilton, Richard was a determined, hard-working individual from the start. He joined the Marines at age 17 and proudly boxed Golden Gloves while in the Marine Corps.  After four years, he returned to finish high school at Kokomo High School in 1963 where he met his life-long love, Patricia, marrying her on July 3, 1965. In 1966, he re-enlisted in the Marines, serving 14 months in Vietnam as a Platoon Sergeant with the 3/26 Marines India Company in and around Con Thien, receiving a Purple Heart. After his time with the Marines, he returned to Kokomo where he worked at Continental Steel and Chrysler for more than 40 years.

Richard lived a fulfilling life of outstanding accomplishments. He was a dedicated Marine, friend, husband, father and grandfather. When he was not working, he was attending a swim meet, football game, band competition, or baseball game supporting his children and grandchildren. He loved vacationing with his family and traveling the country to spend time with his fellow Marine Corps veterans. He recently was honored with fellow Purple Heart recipients on the Honor Flight for Veterans, flying to Washington D.C. and enjoying camaraderie of other military friends in August of 2023.

Richard is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia Hamilton, his sister, Shirley Smith of Danville, IL, and his 3 daughters: Heather (Ken) Diaz, Galveston, IN; Melainie (Matt) Hardin, Kokomo, IN; and Megan (Walter) Bennett, Roann, IN. He was blessed with 11 grandchildren: surviving grandchildren – Jordan (Emerson) Bowling, Salt Lake City, UT; Brynna Diaz, Kokomo, IN; Hallie Diaz, Galveston, IN; Cody Hardin and fiancé Cassidy, Virgina Beach, VA; Brooke Hardin, Indianapolis, IN; Maison Hardin, Muncie, IN; and Cale Bennett, Evan Bennett, Beau Bennett, and Chloe Bennett, Roann, IN. He has three surviving nieces and one surviving nephew.

He was preceded in death by his son, Heath Hamilton, his grandson, Cameron Diaz, his sister, Carolyn Davenport, and his parents.  Services to honor Richard will be held on Wednesday, October 25, 2023 at 2pm at Murray-Weaver Funeral Home, Galveston. Visitation will be held from 12pm-2pm.  Memorial contributions in Richard’s name can be made to the Purple Heart Foundation at https://purpleheartfoundation.org/donate/ .

(Posted September 2023)

Cpl. Perley H Morse Jr. passed away peacefully at home September 24th 2023 in Longmont Colorado after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Staten Island, New York on August 27th, 1946 to Perley Morse Senior and Helen Morse. He entered the Marine Corps at the age of 18 and served in Vietnam, surviving the Battle of Khe Sanh, until being wounded in June 1968 by an 82 mm mortar. He received the Purple Heart and was medically retired from the Marines. He worked for the State of NH Corrections Department, reaching the rank of Lieutenant, and retired after 30 years of service. 

He is survived by his wife Marie, daughters Marissa and Lea, son Kamal and his grandsons, Ronin and Quintin, who he loved very much. He also leaves his sister Helen, nieces and a nephew.

He was a wonderful storyteller, wood carver and friend to so many. There was nothing he loved more than to make others laugh. He will be missed by so many more than can be named here.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Rocky Mountain Cancer Center (https://rayofhopecolorado.org/rmcc/) for the care and extra years of joy we all got to enjoy with him.  Services will be held in Bow, New Hampshire in the spring.

(Posted September 2023)

Cpl. Perley H Morse Jr. passed away peacefully at home September 24th 2023 in Longmont Colorado after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Staten Island, New York on August 27th, 1946 to Perley Morse Senior and Helen Morse. He entered the Marine Corps at the age of 18 and served in Vietnam, surviving the Battle of Khe Sanh, until being wounded in June 1968 by an 82 mm mortar. He received the Purple Heart and was medically retired from the Marines. He worked for the State of NH Corrections Department, reaching the rank of Lieutenant, and retired after 30 years of service. 

He is survived by his wife Marie, daughters Marissa and Lea, son Kamal and his grandsons, Ronin and Quintin, who he loved very much. He also leaves his sister Helen, nieces and a nephew.

He was a wonderful storyteller, wood carver and friend to so many. There was nothing he loved more than to make others laugh. He will be missed by so many more than can be named here.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Rocky Mountain Cancer Center (https://rayofhopecolorado.org/rmcc/) for the care and extra years of joy we all got to enjoy with him.  Services will be held in Bow, New Hampshire in the spring.

(Posted September 2023)

Cpl. Perley H Morse Jr. passed away peacefully at home September 24th 2023 in Longmont Colorado after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Staten Island, New York on August 27th, 1946 to Perley Morse Senior and Helen Morse. He entered the Marine Corps at the age of 18 and served in Vietnam, surviving the Battle of Khe Sanh, until being wounded in June 1968 by an 82 mm mortar. He received the Purple Heart and was medically retired from the Marines. He worked for the State of NH Corrections Department, reaching the rank of Lieutenant, and retired after 30 years of service. 

He is survived by his wife Marie, daughters Marissa and Lea, son Kamal and his grandsons, Ronin and Quintin, who he loved very much. He also leaves his sister Helen, nieces and a nephew.

He was a wonderful storyteller, wood carver and friend to so many. There was nothing he loved more than to make others laugh. He will be missed by so many more than can be named here.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Rocky Mountain Cancer Center (https://rayofhopecolorado.org/rmcc/) for the care and extra years of joy we all got to enjoy with him.  Services will be held in Bow, New Hampshire in the spring.

(Posted September 2023)

Cpl. Perley H Morse Jr. passed away peacefully at home September 24th 2023 in Longmont Colorado after a long battle with cancer. He was born in Staten Island, New York on August 27th, 1946 to Perley Morse Senior and Helen Morse. He entered the Marine Corps at the age of 18 and served in Vietnam, surviving the Battle of Khe Sanh, until being wounded in June 1968 by an 82 mm mortar. He received the Purple Heart and was medically retired from the Marines. He worked for the State of NH Corrections Department, reaching the rank of Lieutenant, and retired after 30 years of service. 

He is survived by his wife Marie, daughters Marissa and Lea, son Kamal and his grandsons, Ronin and Quintin, who he loved very much. He also leaves his sister Helen, nieces and a nephew.

He was a wonderful storyteller, wood carver and friend to so many. There was nothing he loved more than to make others laugh. He will be missed by so many more than can be named here.  In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Rocky Mountain Cancer Center (https://rayofhopecolorado.org/rmcc/) for the care and extra years of joy we all got to enjoy with him.  Services will be held in Bow, New Hampshire in the spring.

(Posted September 2023)