Past progressive

Hi, could you please tell me whether the past progressive is necessary in the following sentences?

Bill was waiting here a minute ago.

I was not thinking of having a birthday party, but now I am glad I had one.

We were having a good time until my wife was stung by a bee.

Could we also use the past simple in these sentences?

Bill waited here a minute ago.

I did not think of having a birthday party, but now I am glad I had one.

We had a good time until my wife was stung by a bee.

Thank you very much