Benjamin "Benjy" Franklin Simpson, Jr.

Benjamin Franklin Simpson, Jr. (Benjy) reached the end of his life’s journey on January 25, 2025, at the age of 76. Benjy was born in Concord, North Carolina on August 5, 1948 and raised in Mount Gilead, North Carolina. Preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin F. Simpson and Mary Elizabeth Bruton Simpson, Benjy is survived by his wife of 51 years, Alma Wood Simpson; his son and wife, Benjy and Margo; and grandchildren, Wyatt and Emma.

Benjy will be buried in his hometown of Mount Gilead, NC on Saturday, February 1, 2025. A funeral service will be held at Bumgarner Family Funeral Service Chapel, 620 Albemarle Rd, Troy, NC, 27371, officiated by Tony Sedberry.  Visitation begins at 1:00 p.m., with service commencing at 2:00 p.m., followed by a graveside service at Sharon Cemetery in Mount Gilead.

A celebration of life will be held near the bridge he loved in West Virginia on Saturday, February 8, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., at Smokey’s on the Gorge.

A lifelong learner, Benjy earned a BS in Recreation & Park Administration from NC State University, and a MA in Physical Education & Outdoor Education with a Minor in Education from Appalachian State University. Benjy also enlisted in the Army and served in the 82nd Airborne. Benjy was a natural athlete, playing football in high school and continuing to play basketball and tennis at NC State. Benjy used his degrees, enjoyment in active sports, joy of working in teams, love for the outdoors, and boundless energy throughout his life. He developed a physical education program at Southside Virginia Community College in Keysville, Virginia. From there, Benjy served as an instructor at the Minnesota Outward Bound School. He went on to develop Encounter 4, an adaptive Outward Bound Program at Butler County Community College in Pennsylvania.

In 1984, Benjy made a change that defined the next 40 years of his life. He moved to West Virginia to launch Passages to Adventure, a whitewater rafting and climbing company and outdoor youth outreach program. Benjy became a pillar of the community, teaching EMT and Swiftwater Rescue courses and running the Joe Aiello community youth recreational basketball program. In 1994, Benjy began serving as Bridge Day Rappel and Highline Coordinator and continued until two years ago when his son took over. Benjy went on to co-found Bridge Walk in 2009, offering guided tours on the catwalk of the historic New River Gorge Bridge. Since its inception, Benjy and the team at Bridge Walk have hosted over 134 thousand visitors from 80 countries and all 50 states.

Benjy was a devoted father to his son Benjy Simpson III. He shared his love of recreation, adventure, learning, and community with his son and all who knew him. In recent years, he had another adventure, that of being a Grandpa. Benjy embraced the role and loved his grandchildren, Wyatt and Emma fiercely. He would frequently drive 8 hours from West Virginia to Georgia just to see a basketball game or watch an elementary school parade.

Benjy believed in exploration, adventure, and living life to the fullest through white water rafting, climbing icy mountains, visiting 49 US states, and he never stopped dreaming. He was also the truest friend one could ask for. His joy and ability to give time, energy, or advice was limitless and felt by so many in the community.

If you were around Benjy at home, at the office, or even saw his car, you would know he loved inspirational quotes. He was always striving to live life to the fullest, and his passion was contagious. In honor of that, one last quote for those of us mourning his loss. “What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, for all that we love deeply becomes part of us.” – Hellen Keller. Benjy was so loved and his memory and legacy will forever live on in the countless lives he touched.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Benjy Simpson Memorial Fund, which encourages the focus on STEM for WV middle and high school students through a Bridge Build contest hosted by the WVDOH. Benjy loved the program and would look forward to hosting the students each year on the New River Gorge Bridge, telling stories, sharing his love for the outdoors, and encouraging them to seek out their own adventures.

If you wish to donate, please do so via:

Benjy Simpson Memorial Fund (c/o DOH Bridge Design and Build Contest), Fayette County National Bank, PO Box 209, Fayetteville WV 25840

You can also use donate electronically if easier via:

Venmo with the note “Memorial” to his son @Benjy-Simpson

Bumgarner Family Funeral Service is serving the family.

Benjy Simpson Memorial Fund (c/o DOH Bridge Design and Build Contest) Fayette County National Bank
P.O. Box 209, Fayetteville WV 25840