Long time U of M biology professors dies on sunday.
Bill A. Simco, a long time professor of biology at the University of Memphis, died Sunday.
Simco fought pancreatic cancer for three years. He leaves behind his wife Cheryl and son Billy.
Simco received his doctorate from the University of Kansas in 1966. He taught at the University for nearly five decades and was scheduled to teach during the spring semester.
He was co-director of the Ecological Research Center, which applies ecological knowledge to solve real world problems. Simco was among the first professors at the U of M to preform biological research, said Randall Bayer, chair of the Department of Biological Sciences.
“Bill Simco was an excellent teacher, an outstanding scientist, an exceptional mentor and a much respected colleague,†said Bayer. “He was a very kind man, one of the kindest I’ve ever met.â€
Simco published 72 academic journal articles published and loved teaching, Bayer said.
Family and friends will pay their respects during a funeral service which will be held at 2p.m. Friday at Mountainburg Presbyterian Church in Mountainburg, Arkansas.
