William Simmons

McCLURE, Ill. -- William A. Simmons, 78, of McClure died Tuesday, May 3, 2011, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 5, 1932, in Gale, Ill., to William Roy and Ida Corzine Simmons. He and Willa May Wright were married Dec. 17, 1981, in Cape Girardeau.

Bill served as a Navy Seal (UDT) from Feb. 7, 1952, to Nov. 14, 1955.

He was an auto mechanic and owned and operated McClure Wrecker Service. He also owned El Patio Lounge and Willa's Getaway in McClure. He was an avid fisherman and loved farming and gardening. He especially loved his dogs Scutter, CJ and Dolly, and his cat Sassy.

He was a member of Jonesboro Masonic Lodge 111 38 years, a life member of VFW Post 3838 and a Shrine Club member.

Survivors include his wife, Willa Simmons of McClure; four sons, William T. (Patty) Simmons of McClure, Cliff (Sharon) Simmons of Cape Girardeau, Mark (Karla) Simmons of Olive Branch, Ill., Junior Wright of McClure; three daughters, Teresa (Charles Jr.) Birk of Cape Girardeau, Sherry (John) Owen of Winchester, Ky., Tammy (Troy) Hamilton of Cape Girardeau; three sisters, Marie Snell of Gale, Ill., Reba (Tom) Enderle of Cape Girardeau, Sherry Reynolds of McClure; two granddaughters, 12 grandsons; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, a sister and a brother-in-law.

Friends may call 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Phillip Roop officiating. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery in Thebes, Ill.

Memorial contributions may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online condolences may be made at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.