Joseph Franklin Simpson, Sr.

     Joseph Franklin Simpson, Sr.  90, passed away Thursday, March 29, 2018 at his home in Asheville. Joe was born on February 22, 1928 to Joseph Smith and Gladys Pauline Hendricks Simpson in Buncombe County. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Myrtle Lindsey; son, Brien Keith Simpson; and brother Clarence Simpson.  Joe was a master barber for 67 years; owning Biltmore Barbershop for 57 of those years.  Joe attended Biltmore High School. He served in the US Army during the Korean Conflict and then the US Navy that he later retired from. Joe was a member of the Seabees. Joe was a Master Mason serving many years as Master of Biltmore Lodge, he also was a life member of Navy Seabee Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign wars. Joe had a love for feeling the wind in his face and riding motorcycles, he was a life member of The Gold Wing Riders Association.
     Survived by daughters, Tamara Dee Henson of Boaz, AL, Joan Miller Riddle of Asheville and Beverly Miller Atkins and her husband Dave of Asheville; sons,  Frank Simpson of Asheville and Robert Simpson of Greensboro; sisters, Willie Mae Harris of Asheville and Helen Redmon and her husband Harold of Denver, NC; brother, Bobby Simpson and wife Linda of Asheville; eight grandchildren; several great grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; nieces and nephews.
     A celebration of his life will be 2:00pm Thursday, April 5, 2018 at Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery Chapel at 962 Old US Hwy 70 W, Black Mountain, NC 28711. Reverend Ron Brown will be officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the CarePartners Foundation at 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC 28806. Penland Family Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Simpson family.

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