William Gene Simmons

Friday, September 5, 2014

William Gene Simmons, 78, of Mt. Meridian, passed away Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014 at IU Hospital surrounded by his family after a short battle with lung cancer.

Bill was born on Feb. 4, 1936 in Oklahoma to the late Herbert and Susan Cloyd Simmons.

He graduated from Belle Union High School in 1954.

He married Betty Louise French on June 18, 1995, and she survives.

He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran.

He worked at Allison Transmission, Lobdell Emery and Wal-Mart in Greencastle.

His hobbies included fishing, archery and music.

Survivors include his wife, Betty, and children Juleena and Randy Cox, of Fillmore, and Kelly and Tommy Dirickson, of Reelsville. Grandchildren include Tyler and Tiffany Cox, Kory Dirickson, Tiffani Cox, Kody Dirickson and Tessa Cox. Also surviving are two great-grandchildren, Keaton and Ali Dirickson.

Bill is survived by four brothers, Irvin and Deloris Simmons, of North Carolina, Richard Simmons, of Florida, Herbert Simmons, of Texas, and John and Roxanne Simmons, of Coatesville. He also has numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Sandra Simmons.

Services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 9 at Whitaker Funeral Home, Cloverdale. Burial will follow at Cloverdale Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8.

Condolences may be sent to the family at cds@whitakerfuneralhome.net.