Billy Joe Simpson, 33 - Travelers Rest

Billy Joe Marshall “B.J.” Simpson, 33, went to be with the Lord on Monday, December 31, 2018 at Greenville Memorial Hospital.

Born in Greenville, SC, he was the son of Keith and Anita Batson Simpson. B.J. was a 2003 graduate of Travelers Rest High School where he played baseball from the 7th grade thru his Senior year, having played varsity from the 9th thru 12th grade. He made All Region his Sophomore, Junior and Senior years and in 2001 Travelers Rest High School competed for the 3A Baseball State Championship where B.J. had 2 homeruns in the Game 1 win. To cap off his senior year, he was named to the South Carolina North/South All-Star Baseball Team. After High School, B.J. continued his baseball career having played 2 years at Blue Ridge Junior College in Hendersonville, NC. Due to his love for baseball, B.J. came back to Travelers Rest High School and assisted Coach McKittrick for six years.

B.J. was employed as a Greenskeeper at Willow Creek Golf Corse in Greer, SC and a member of Forestville Baptist Church. B.J. loved spending time with his family and friends. He also loved watching his Clemson Tigers, fishing and playing golf. B.J. was very outgoing and kind hearted with a smile that would light up a room.

Along with his parents, B.J. is survived by his brother: Dylan Simpson; sister: Kaelyn Simpson; maternal grandmother: Joyce Clayton Branton; paternal grandparents: Don and Joy Roach Simpson; uncles and aunts: Joey and Susan Batson, Daryl and Tori Smith, Todd and Kim Gilstrap, Kendall and Karen Simpson; cousins: Cameron Simpson, Michael Batson, Ben Batson, Grayson Smith, Gavin Smith and his faithful companion, his dog Dabo.

B.J. was predeceased by 2 brothers: Taylor and Hunter Simpson and his maternal grandfather, Billy Joe Batson.

Visitation will be Friday evening, January 4, 2019 from 6 until 8 p.m. at The Howze Mortuary.

Funeral service will be Saturday morning, January 5, 2019 at 11 a.m. at Forestville Baptist Church.

Burial will be at Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville.

Memorials may be made to The Travelers Rest Athletic Booster Club – Baseball Team, P.O. Box 698, Travelers Rest, SC 29690 and/or the Tisch Brain Tumor Center, DUMC 3624, Durham, NC 27710 for the Melvin McCall Strokes Fore Progress Charity.

The family will be at the home of his parents.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.thehowzemortuary.com.

The Howze Mortuary, Travelers Rest is in charge of the arrangements.