The Department regrets to annouce the passing of Life Member William (Billy) H. Simpson, Sr. on September 28, 2012.

Billy was known to everyone here as the "Mayor" of Mechanicsville. Billy joined the Department in 1951 and was completing his sixty second year as a member. He achieved so much during his tenure here.

Billy aspired to be a leader.
In 1955, he was elected Lieutenant, which he held for two consecutive years.
1957, he was elected to the position of Assistant Chief, which he held for three consecutive years.
1960, he was elected Captain
In 1961, Billy decided to take on a different role and became the Department's Chief Engineer, which he held through 1964.
Achieving the highest Operational rank in the Department, Billy became the Department Fire Chief in 1965.

After running up through the Operational side of the Fire Company and taking a few years off, Billy wanted to learn the Administrative side, where he would find his niche.

In 1970, he became the Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, which he held for three years.
In 1973, Billy was elected to the position of President and held this position until 1984. This also made him the Chairman of the Department Board of Directors during his tenure as the President.
In 1985, he was elected to the Board of Directors where he still served up until his untimely passing.
This truly shows the dedication and love Billy had for our Department and the fire service as a whole.

Billy also received numerous awards and served on countless committees throughout his sixty-two year career. Most notably, he was chosen as the Fireman of the Year in 1974. Billy was elected to the Southern Maryland Volunteer Fireman's Association Hall of Fame in 1980. He achieved his life membership with the Department in 1988.

Billy was instrumental in obtaining several achievements within the Department while in office or serving on various committees. He played a huge role in the purchase of apparatus, most notably the 1965 International/Pirsch, known as Engine 23 (replaced in 2003) and the 1976 Oren, Engine 22 (replaced in 2009). In 1976 a major undertaking was accomplished when we moved into the current station. Billy was still throwing out ideas to the current building committee who are in the process of redesigning the station to meet our current and future needs.

Billy was instrumental in establishing, with other personnel throughout the county, the length of service program (LOSAP). He was a big advocate and supporter of the fire tax bill when it was presented to county legislators. This bill would ensure that fire companies would secure funding thru monies collected on property taxes.

Not a day passed that Billy didn't spend time at the station, unless, of course, he was out of town. You could always find him giving the younger members a hard time and making sure they knew what it was like to fight fire "back in the day".
He was a mentor to many of the members who are currently in office and active within the Department today. Billy was a fireman, inside and out, and you could always turn to him for advice or to simply vent when things weren't going right.

There will be a huge void and some large shoes left unfilled but with Billy's guidance, teaching and mentoring over the last sixty-two years, our Department will carry on just as he would want it to.

Gone but never forgotten, watch over and protect us.

Arrangements are as follows:
Viewing will be Thursday October 4th at Mattingly-Gardiner Funeral Home located at 41950 Fenwick Street, Leonardtown, Maryland 20650 from 1700 until 2000 hours with prayers at 1900 hours, Fireman's prayers will be at 1915 hours.

Service will be Friday, October 5th at 1000 hours at Immaculate Conception Church, 28297 Old Village Road in Mechanicsville.

Departments wishing to bring apparatus are to contact Assistant Fire Chief Mark Trowbridge or Deputy Fire Chief Scott Bellevou.