A private funeral service was held for an upstate New York soldier killed in Iraq earlier this month in a roadside bombing.

Hundreds of people turned out March 25 at St. Joseph’s Church to pay their last respects to Army Spc. Christopher Simpson. The 23-year-old was killed March 17. The viewing included a video tribute to Simpson’s life.

Simpson had returned to Iraq in December for his second combat tour in three years. He was based at Fort Carson, Colo., with the 1st Battalion, 68th Armor Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Simpson grew up in upstate New York before he moved to Hampton, Va., with his mother.

He was buried March 26 at Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Proceeds from the SGT Christopher C. Simpson bracelet will be donated to Legacies Alive.