A HOUSE RESOLUTION Honoring the life and memory of vollis simpson, a visionary artist.
Whereas, Vollis Simpson was born on January 17, 1919, on a farm in Wilson County to William Oscar Simpson and Emma Watson Simpson; and
Whereas, Vollis Simpson served as a staff sergeant in the Army Air Corps during WWII in the South Pacific; and
Whereas, Vollis Simpson established Simpson Repair Shop, a machinery repair shop, in Wilson County, and after a number of years, he also established a house‑moving business; and
Whereas, after retirement, Vollis Simpson began making giant windmills known as "whirligigs" with materials he collected or spare parts left over from his businesses; and
Whereas, Vollis Simpson created unique and fanciful whirligigs that measured as wide as 55 feet and as tall as 60 feet with parts that reflected light that he displayed across the family farm in Lucama; and
Whereas, although a self‑taught artist, Vollis Simpson's creations soon caught the attention of people from all around the world and made the farm a tourist attraction; and
Whereas, Vollis Simpson was commissioned to make whirligigs for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, the North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh, and the Visionary Art Museum in Baltimore, Maryland; and
Whereas, Vollis Simpson's whirligigs have also been exhibited at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, Georgia, and at other locations, including New York, California, Canada, and England; and
Whereas, articles featuring Vollis Simpson and details of his artwork appeared in many national magazines and several books; and
Whereas, in 2011, Vollis Simpson was presented with the North Carolina Award, the State's highest civilian honor; and
Whereas, Phase I of the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park will open in the Fall of 2013 in the City of Wilson and will feature a large collection of Simpson's whirligigs that have been fully restored and prepared for display; and
Whereas, in recognition of Vollis Simpson's contributions to the State, the House of Representatives unanimously passed legislation earlier this year adopting Simpson's whirligig creations as the official folk art of the State of North Carolina; and
Whereas, Vollis Simpson leaves a legacy as an artist and craftsman that will be enjoyed and appreciated by generations to come; and
Whereas, Vollis Simpson died on May 31, 2013, at the age of 94; and
Whereas, Vollis Simpson was preceded in death by his daughter, Jeanie Simpson; and
Whereas, Vollis Simpson is survived by his wife, Jean Barnes Simpson; a daughter, Carol S. Kyles; sons, Leonard Barnes Simpson and Vollis Michael Simpson; grandchildren, Allison Dunn, Valerie Dunn, Jamison Kyles, and Cassidy Kyles; and a sister, Eleanor Watson; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives honors the memory of Vollis Simpson and expresses appreciation for his life, his service to our country, and his artistry and craftsmanship.
SECTION 2.  The House of Representatives extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Vollis Simpson for the loss of a beloved family member.
SECTION 3.  The Principal Clerk shall transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the family of Vollis Simpson.
SECTION 4.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.