Fairfield, IL – Well-known local horseman Perry E. “Buddy” Simpson, 93, of Fairfield, passed away on Monday (Oct. 30), at the VA Medical Center in Marion, IL.

Buddy Simpson, 1930-2023

Born on June 24, 1930, in Wayne County, IL to Edgar and Ida (McKay) Simpson, Buddy was a US Army Veteran and married Dorris Rister on October 5, 1954. They were married for 67 years until her passing in 2021. Buddy was a horseman, racing and training standardbred horses from his Battleshoe Farm east of Fairfield.

In 2002 he was inducted into the IL Harness Horsemen’s Hall of Fame. He was also a longtime member of the Union North Cumberland Presbyterian Church, where he served as elder and Sunday school teacher for many years.

Buddy is survived by sons Dirk (Robin) Simpson of Meadowlands, PA, and Clay (Lisa) Simpson of Fairfield, five grandchildren, two step grandchildren, three great grandchildren, two step great grandchildren, sister Carmen Simpson of Fairfield, sister-in-law Dorothy (Gene) Henson of Manchester, MO, and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Dorris Simpson, two brothers, and six sisters.

Funeral services for Buddy Simpson will be held at 1 pm. on Saturday (Nov. 4), at the Union North Cumberland Presbyterian Church, with burial to follow in Union Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m., until the time of service at the church. Memorials in his honor may be made to the Union North CP Building Fund and will be accepted at the service and the Johnson and Vaughn Funeral Home, which is handling arrangements.