(11 Oct. 1864-6 Oct. 1952), merchant. (Will J. Simpson, William J. Simpson, Willie Simpson) Born in Alexandria, Ont. Parents: John Simpson and his wife Emily Allen. He was a merchant in Alexandria for over 50 years. During the early 1890s he and his brother James O. Simpson were partners in in Alexandria, carrying on “an extensive business in tailoring, gent’s furnishings, holiday gifts, fancy china and other select lines.” Afterwards, Will J. Simpson continued “this progressive establishment” while James O. Simpson joined John Simpson & Son. William J. Simpson, whose main retailing business over the years seems to have been haberdashery, was the principal founder of an Alexandria institution, the Santa Claus Parade. The retirement of the long-established Alexandria businessman William J. Simpson was announced in the spring of 1936, but the store re-opened for a few weeks in July to sell off stock, and in Sept. he was back in business in Alexandria operating a “Specialty Shop.” A few days short of 88, he died in Toronto, where he had been living with a daughter. (three children) The burial was in Alexandria. He was a Presbyterian and later a member of the United Church. Closely involved with church work for many years, he was superintendent of the Sunday school in Alexandria for 40 years. He was married to Alice Catherine Leslie (d. Sept. 1948), who was the daughter of P.A. Leslie and the niece of Mrs John D. McIntosh.

Glengarry News 10 Oct. 1952 * GN 1 May (QF), 17 July (advert.), 11 & 25 Sept. 1936 * obituary of his son Leslie J. Simpson (1905-1985), of Toronto, GN 27 Feb. 1985