Deputy Assistant to the President Appointment of William Simpson.

The President announced today that Mr. William Simpson of Gulfport, Miss., will join the White House staff immediately as Deputy Assistant to the President. In this capacity, Mr. Simpson will be working with Hamilton Jordan and his staff on the priority goals and programs of the administration.

Simpson was born in Gulfport on July 29, 1923. He attended the Marion Military Institute, Marion, Ala., and the University of Mississippi before graduating from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y. He saw combat service as a naval midshipman and officer in the Pacific Theater in World War II.

From 1947 to 1965, he was associated with his father and brother in operating the family shrimp and oyster canning facility in Gulfport. From 1965 to 1968, he was special assistant to Mississippi Governor Paul B. Johnson, Jr. Simpson also served as first chairman of the Mississippi Marine Conservation Commission and as president of the State Port Authority at Gulf port.

From 1968 through 1978, Simpson was administrative assistant to Senator James O. Eastland of Mississippi, who served as President pro tempore of the Senate from 1972 until his recent retirement.