William D. Simmons, age 83, of Alliance, died at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, January 26, 2012, at his home.
He was born January 17, 1929, in Akron, to John Simmons and Jesse (Clark) Simmons, and has resided in the Alliance area since 1996.
A 1949 graduate of East High School in Akron, Bill worked as a tire builder with Goodyear Tire for 40 years.
He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, the Arby's Retirees Coffee Group, a devoted Mount Union fan, an avid gardener and woodworker. William was a 1990's Silver League retiree's baseball member, active in track and field in high school, the Marine Corps, and Sr. Olympics and was inducted into the Halls of Fame for Summit County, East High School and the State of Ohio in 2009. He competed in National Senior Sports Classics in Tucson, AZ; Gateshead, England; Toronto, Chicago and various other venues.
At the age of 70, Bill won the high jump record for ages 70-74, for all of the United States. He received four college scholarships. While competing for a spot on the Olympic team, he suffered a knee injury. Bill's love of athletics led him to a 40 year coaching career, coaching football, baseball, and girl's gymnastics.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie (Reed) Simmons whom he married May 25, 1996; son, David (Linda) Simmons of Martin, MI.; daughter, Jeannette (Tim) Bloedorn of Sanford, N.C.; stepdaughter, Dr. Heidi Herron-Johnson (Dr. Ken Johnson) of West Lafayette IN, and Jennifer (Bryon) Murray of Copley; grandchildren, Michael Kester (Holly and children, Desi and Jonny), Angela Simmons, Kristy Simmons (fiancé' Shawn McCutcheon), Todd Barcheski, Tony (Candi) Bloedorn and Jennifer Sakey; great-grandchildren, Chelsea Cantrell, Luke and Parker Bloedorn, Caden Sakey, Kieran and Keely Murray, Geordie, Hope and Paige Herron-Johnson; many nieces and nephews; including Kay Walker, whose many kindnesses meant so much to Bill; devoted buddy, Dillwin; assorted pets, Farley, Loretta, Nigel, Manly; and numerous grand dogs and cats.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Vassie (Frank) Kalaman, James (Archel) Simmons and Robert (Eleanor) Simmons; and his first wife, Louise (Watkins) Simmons, "the prettiest girl in school", whom he married November 23, 1948.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at Trinity Episcopal Church with The Rev. Jerome H. (Kip) Colegrove officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 1200 S. Union Ave. Alliance, OH, 44601 or Alliance Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, 885 S. Sawburg Rd. Suite 106, Alliance, OH, 44601.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Ave., Alliance, Ohio 44601.
He was born January 17, 1929, in Akron, to John Simmons and Jesse (Clark) Simmons, and has resided in the Alliance area since 1996.
A 1949 graduate of East High School in Akron, Bill worked as a tire builder with Goodyear Tire for 40 years.
He was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, the Arby's Retirees Coffee Group, a devoted Mount Union fan, an avid gardener and woodworker. William was a 1990's Silver League retiree's baseball member, active in track and field in high school, the Marine Corps, and Sr. Olympics and was inducted into the Halls of Fame for Summit County, East High School and the State of Ohio in 2009. He competed in National Senior Sports Classics in Tucson, AZ; Gateshead, England; Toronto, Chicago and various other venues.
At the age of 70, Bill won the high jump record for ages 70-74, for all of the United States. He received four college scholarships. While competing for a spot on the Olympic team, he suffered a knee injury. Bill's love of athletics led him to a 40 year coaching career, coaching football, baseball, and girl's gymnastics.
Survivors include his wife, Marjorie (Reed) Simmons whom he married May 25, 1996; son, David (Linda) Simmons of Martin, MI.; daughter, Jeannette (Tim) Bloedorn of Sanford, N.C.; stepdaughter, Dr. Heidi Herron-Johnson (Dr. Ken Johnson) of West Lafayette IN, and Jennifer (Bryon) Murray of Copley; grandchildren, Michael Kester (Holly and children, Desi and Jonny), Angela Simmons, Kristy Simmons (fiancé' Shawn McCutcheon), Todd Barcheski, Tony (Candi) Bloedorn and Jennifer Sakey; great-grandchildren, Chelsea Cantrell, Luke and Parker Bloedorn, Caden Sakey, Kieran and Keely Murray, Geordie, Hope and Paige Herron-Johnson; many nieces and nephews; including Kay Walker, whose many kindnesses meant so much to Bill; devoted buddy, Dillwin; assorted pets, Farley, Loretta, Nigel, Manly; and numerous grand dogs and cats.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Vassie (Frank) Kalaman, James (Archel) Simmons and Robert (Eleanor) Simmons; and his first wife, Louise (Watkins) Simmons, "the prettiest girl in school", whom he married November 23, 1948.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 31, 2012, at Trinity Episcopal Church with The Rev. Jerome H. (Kip) Colegrove officiating. Friends may call one hour prior to the service at the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, 1200 S. Union Ave. Alliance, OH, 44601 or Alliance Visiting Nurse Association and Hospice, 885 S. Sawburg Rd. Suite 106, Alliance, OH, 44601.
Arrangements are by Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home, 75 S. Union Ave., Alliance, Ohio 44601.
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