SIMPSON, Lillian Claire

Arizona Daily Sun, Flagstaff, Arizona Friday, August 10, 2012 Long time Flagstaff and Sedona resident Lillian Claire Heard Simpson died peacefully on Aug. 2, 2012 at her home in Sedona with her family at her side. She was born Aug. 10, 1915 in San Angelo, Texas to H.G. and May Heard. She studied speech and drama at Texas Tech University, where she met her husband Willard Simpson of Flagstaff. They married in Lubbock on June 3rd, 1937, and moved to Flagstaff where they resided and raised three children. Willard and Lillian operated Call of the Canyon Resort, established by Willard's parents, in Oak Creek Canyon. That land was later sold to the forest Service and is now the popular West Fork Park. After the war they opened Arrowhead Motors, first a Nash Dealership and later a Lincoln Mercury dealership in Flagstaff. Willard and Lillian operated businesses in Sedona and in Cameron until their retirement in 1978. They built a home in Oak Creek Canyon and lived there until Willard’s death in 1989. Lillian later moved to the Village of Oak Creek where she fell in love with Kenneth Stanfil. They were companions till his death in 2009. Lillian was a stunning beauty with a lovely voice; low and warm, cultured, with a soft Texas accent. Ladylike but never stuffy, she had a sparkling sense of humor and loved to laugh. Unfailingly kind and a wonderful source of practical wisdom, she was a light in the lives of all who knew her. Besides her husband Willard, Lillian was preceded in death by her sister, Margaret and a grandson, Terry. She is survived by her three children, Margaret Reese(Rod)of California, Bud (Gail) of Sedona and Robert (Mary) of Flagstaff, as well as 8 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild. There will be a celebration of her life at Willard (Bud) Simpson’s home in the Village of Oak Creek , 30 Steamboat Rock Road on Saturday Sept. 1, 2012 at 2 PM. Burial will be private. A very Special Thanks to her Caregivers and to the Hospice team for the loving, tender care they gave our beloved Mother. We will always be grateful for their love and attention. In Lieu of flowers donations in Lillian’s name can be sent to: Hospice Compassus 30 Bell Rock Plaza Sedona, AZ 86351. This obituary was prepared by the Advertising Department (928) 556-2279.