Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, April 4, 2025, at Gibson – Bode Funeral Home, Port Byron, IL. Services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. A Celebration of Life and Luncheon will follow at 1:30 p.m. at the DeCap Farm, 23821 66th Ave N., Port Byron. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Heel. Sit., in East Moline, the Riverdale FFA, or to the Simpkins Family.
Clay was born December 29, 1999, in Silvis, IL, the son of Mark and Jennifer (Richard) Simpkins. He graduated from Riverdale High School in 2018. Clay started his auto mechanic journey in high school in the UT Automotive program. He then went to work at Kruse Kustoms in East Moline. Sean Kruse took Clay under his wing and taught him more than the basics of auto mechanics. Clay moved on to big trucks & trailers and was a Diesel Mechanic at C & W Trucking and Sons in Bettendorf.
Clay was an avid deer hunter. He loved hunting with his best friend Dillin Tegeler. He was always up for a trip to the family farm in Golconda, IL, to hunt with his stepdad, Jason and “Uncle Bob.” He was a car and truck enthusiast. He had a vast knowledge of cars and trucks and loved working on the Hot Rods at Kruse. Clay was a major part of the Rods on the River Car Show in Port Byron over the past 7 years.
Clay had a big heart and was just a “nice guy.” He loved his dog, Comet, his family and many friends. Spending quality time with all of them was always a priority. He was always there in an instant to help or hang out. His huge grin, infectious laugh and witty sense of humor kept all entertained to say the least. Sometimes they were lucky enough to get a little dance with a side kick, all honestly inherited from his dad, Mark “Bonz.”
Clay will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.
He is survived by his mother and step-father, Jennifer Simpkins-Stahl and Jason Stahl, Port Byron; father and step-mother, Mark “Bonz” and Amie Simpkins, East Moline; faithful companion, Comet; maternal grandparents, Sharon Knight, Gene A. Simpkins, Sr. both of Silvis; maternal grandparents, Debbie Richard, East Moline, and Leonard “Toot” Richard, Lynn, AL; uncles, Gene A. Simpkins, Jr., Rock Island, Jeff Richard, Lynn, AL; cousins, Brandy Welvaert, Brad Simpkins, Courtney Trammell, Caden Richard, and Kyndra Richard.
Share a memory or condolence at www.gibsonbodefh.com.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clay, please visit the floral store.
