Bill's Belgian Medals, William Simpson, William George Simpson,

Bill's Belgian Medals

William (Bill) George Simpson - A Brief Resume

William (Bill) Simpson OBE

Born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland in 1948, Bill Simpson entered the Royal Air Force as an Aircraft Apprentice in Jan 1964

, studying

electrical engineering. A

fter

three

years was selected to attend the RAF College, Cranwell as an officer cadet.

A military career of 25 years ended with command of a Royal Air Force base at RAF Hendon, London, which he closed in 1987.

During

that career, Bill traveled extensively with his wife Wendy and was promoted to Wing Commander. Highlights of the career

include the

birth of two sons and a daughter, and on behalf of the Royal Air Force, he had the distinction of receiving the honorary

freedoms of both

the London Borough of Barnet and the town of Leighton Linslade in Bedfordshire.

Bill was also presented with the award of Member of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1980, a

legacy of a two-year tour in Northern Ireland where he had been responsible for all air transport operations during the height of the

‘Troubles,’ and also supported a home for mentally handicapped children in Belfast.

His efforts at RAF Aldergrove contributed to the

award of the Wilkinson Sword of Peace to the station.

Bill

had a repeat visit to Buckingham Palace in

1988,

when he was invested as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire by her

Majesty, Queen Elizabeth in recognition of his

work,

including charitable activities for handicapped children, at RAF Stations Hendon and

Stanbridge.

Taking premature retirement from the Royal Air Force in 1988, Bill entered the world of financial services, setting up in business

with a

colleague. He subsequently became involved in commercial finance and business planning. Bill later received the Freedom of

the City of

London.

Bill later founded and became Chief Executive of an Internet company, ‘The Local Channel,’ and was also appointed President of

North

American Operations for a Mayfair-based hedge fund to establish that business in Washington D.C.

A minor health problem prompted Bill to take stock of his life. He decided to take up writing, a decision that coincidentally occurred

shortly after Bill had renewed his friendship with a former Cranwell colleague - a Saudi prince. That meeting uncovered the

compelling

and powerful story of Bandar’s remarkable life.

Bill’s first book is an explosive and revealing biography of his friend and colleague, Prince Bandar bin Sultan, the Ambassador to

the

United States for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - a man of astonishing talent whose exploits on the world stage have hitherto

been kept,

much as he operates, in the shadows. Bill's luck was in when both Margaret Thatcher and Nelson Mandela volunteered

to write forewords

to his book.

You can find out more at:

http://www.prince-bandar.com

Bill Simpson

I must congratulate William Simpson capturing in his book, the enigmatic of my dear friend Prince Bandar in an intriguing,

explosive and

thoroughly revealing account of the life of this man of immense ability and conscience. I would encourage everyone

to read this

biography."

Former President Nelson Mandela.

"This excellent book tells the story of a man for our times who had been at the heart of world events for two decades and whom I

proud to call a friend."

Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

"It’s a fascinating story - it’s a great story. He straddles just so many immensely important international events with key personal

participation, influence, and stature; he has a wonderful reputation."

Louis Freeh, Director of the FBI, 1993-2001.

"It [The Prince] reads better than a James Bond novel."

Judith Regan, CEO of Regan Books.

Last Updated 15 April 2010

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In the world of politics, friendships can all too often be transient or diplomatic and thus measurable

only in terms of expediency or necessity. With Prince Bandar bin Sultan and I that was certainly not

the case: I have enjoyed a lasting and intensely personal friendship with Prince Bandar, an individual

of extraordinary warmth, intellect, and loyalty. Bandar has given me his unhesitating support over

the years in so many ways; throughout, he has been honest and generous, no less than I would

expect from this statesman of such great stature.

In writing Prince Bandar’s biography, William Simpson has met a massive challenge, as he has

captured the essence of the man--the enigma--that is Bandar. Addressing the twists and turns in this

amazing life is a feat in itself, as is identifying those factors that have created the charismatic and

accomplished individual that I am proud to know as a close friend.

Prince Bandar has had a quite astonishing influence during the past two decades as a roving

international peacemaker, operating mainly in the background, never seeking public recognition and

rarely accepting the plaudits of his peers. The remarkable respect accorded to Prince Bandar by so

many heads of state and government, and statespersons and opinion-makers around the world

should come as no surprise to those of us who know him well, but until now his central role has

remained largely unheralded.

Prince Bandar is an outstanding man--a charming, eloquent, and nonetheless humble figure, who

has so often guided the pattern of world events. I am delighted that I could contribute to an account

that I know is vibrant and humorous, punctuated by Bandar’s own stories--always larger than life

and full of fun--for he is a storyteller without equal.

In conclusion, Prince Bandar’s achievements deserve international recognition. He has worked

relentlessly in the cause of peace and I unconditionally applaud him as a man of principle, a

diplomat of astonishing caliber and one of the great peacemakers of our time.

Nelson Mandela