Obituary: William Seibert ‘Billy’ Sympson Sr., Bardstown
WILLIAM SEIBERT ‘BILLY’ SYMPSON SR.
William Seibert “Billy” Sympson Sr., of Bardstown, a life-long Nelson County farmer, died Monday, Aug. 3, 2015 surrounded by his family and loved ones. He was born and raised on the family farm on Murray’s Run Road. He knew a happy childhood of family, hard work and love. He played football at OKH for Red Graham and he was a graduate of Western Kentucky University and a member of Alpha Gamma Rho. He served in the Vietnam War 1970 – 1971.
His great reverence and respect for nature is legendary. He knew trees and animal tracks and wild flowers and weeds. He was a man of the earth, who loved all seasons and sun as well as rain. He disliked lawyers, the government, dishonesty, political correctness, snakes, medication, and bullies, but the things he loved & respected far outweighed what he did not like. At 65 he took up a new love, Kentucky Thoroughbreds , which he embraced with a passion – like everything he did!
With a firm handshake and a timeless smile, he welcomed every stranger as an old friend and every old friend as family. Always fiercely patriotic, and sometimes maddeningly stubborn, his warm spirit, work ethic and unassuming gentle ways inspired all who knew him. He always said what was on his mind — sometimes honest to a fault.
He lived simply but richly.
He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Reuben Sympson; and his father, Reuben Siebert Sympson.
He is survived by three children, William Sympson Jr. (Heather) of Lexington, Stephanie Wimsett (Greg) of New Haven and Eama (Stacey) Sympson of Woodstock, Ga.; his “adopted son” Bill Bartley; his mother, Virginia Sympson; 14 brothers and sisters, Jimmy Sympson, Louise Mayer, Charlene Coultas, Donnie Sympson, Beverly Sympson, Nancy Bradley, Paul Sympson, Julia Phillips, Mike Sympson, Marie Watson, Ann McMichael, Carolyn Sympson, Debbie Terrell and Jerry Sympson; and eight grandchildren, Emma, Bailey, Seth, Isaac, Ella, Dominic Sympson, Ryan and Olivia Wimsett.
The funeral is 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 7, 2015, at the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto Cathedral with burial in the church cemetery. The Rev. Jason Harris will officiate. A celebration of his life will follow burial in the St. Joseph Bereavement Hall.
Visitation is 3-8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, 2015, and 9-10:15 a.m. Friday at Barlow Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions in the name of William Sympson may go to the P.T.S.D. Counseling of Lebanon.
Barlow Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
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