Willie Mae Simpson Drilling

Willie Mae Simpson Drilling, 93, was joyfully reunited, after ten years, with her beloved husband and best friend, Clarence Drilling, on July 11, 2015. She was born on June 13, 1922 in Lecompte, Louisiana to Thomas Howard Simpson and Stella Mae Gunter Simpson.

Shortly after the death of her mother in 1929, the family moved to Coushatta, Louisiana, where she graduated from high school in 1940. The onset of World War II would bring Clarence, a Wisconsin native, to Louisiana for training at Camp Livingston. During this time, the two met and fell in love. While awaiting his return from overseas in Europe, she supported the war effort by working for Consolidated Aircraft in Fort Worth, Texas, assembling B-24 bombers. They married in 1946 and over the years welcomed three daughters. The family moved to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1957 and resided there until 1969. During that time, she was a tireless, devoted volunteer at St. Pascal Baylon Catholic Church and School. Many a nun there cherished her as their “sister.” The family moved in 1969 to Houston, where her circle of friends and family grew ever wider. Her daughters’ friends, her sons-in-law, her grandchildren, and ultimately her caregivers—she swept them all up in her embrace. She delighted in family, past and present. Genealogy was no mere hobby for her. Whether she was poring over courthouse records, exploring country cemeteries, or calling a newly discovered distant cousin many times removed, the search always ended with her forging deep friendships.

Left to cherish her memory are her three daughters and sons-in-law, Cathy and Daryl Dursum of Houston, Debby and Jack Herms of Houston, and Anne and Bill Henry of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; five grandchildren, Carrie Herms of Houston, Amanda Henry of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Matthew Herms (Karen) of Katy, Texas, Emily Henry Burch (Matt) of Madison, Mississippi, and Andrew Dursum of Houston. She is also mourned by a sister, Mary Powell of Vivian, Louisiana and sisters-in-law, Wanda Simpson of Coushatta, Louisiana, Doris Eslinger and Alyce Drilling of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Many nieces, nephews, and cousins also treasure her memory.

Welcoming her home were her husband, parents, stepmother Bernice Ball Simpson, sisters Gladys Raburn and Louise Bamburg, and brothers Thomas Howard Simpson, Jr. and Joe Dan Simpson. She also enjoyed a happy reunion with her beloved fox terrier, Snippy.

Our family would like to thank the legion of people who cared for Mom so compassionately over the years at St. Luke’s Hospital, Parkway Place, Reach Home Health, Vosswood Nursing Center, and Garden Terrace.

Friends are invited to visitation with our family beginning at 9:30 am on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 8200 Roos Road. The Funeral Mass will then be celebrated at 10:30am at the Church, with Reverend Richard Hinkley officiating. The Rite of Committal will follow at Forest Park Westheimer Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, our family requests that memorial contributions be sent to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, The American Heart Association, or Clayton Library Center for Genealogical Research.

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When I must leave you
For a little while-
Please do not grieve
And shed wild tears
And hug your sorrow to you
Through the years,
But start out bravely
With a gallant smile;
And for my sake
And in my name
Live on and do
All things the same,
Feed not your lonelines
On empty days,
But fill each waking hour
In useful ways,
Reach out your hand
In comfort and in cheer
And I in turn will comfort you
And hold you near;
And never, never
Be afraid to die,
For I am waiting for you in the sky!
~ Helen Steiner Rice

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God hath not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God hath not promised
Sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

But God hath promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the Labor,
Light for the way.
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love...