Dr. William Leonard "Bill" Simmer, 85, of Forest, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at his residence. He was the loving husband of Yvette Blais Simmer and the late Helen Mylum Simmer.
Born on October 2, 1929, in Ottumwa, Iowa, but growing up in Des Moines, he was the son of the late Alfred Myers Simmer and Florence Robbins Simmer. Bill served our country in the United States Army Air Corps. He received the WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, and Good Conduct Medal. He served in Greenland, Germany in the Berlin Air Lift, and was an Air Traffic Supervisor.
Bill and his wife Helen became followers of Jesus Christ early in their marriage when they resided in the Boston area where Bill had several businesses. Within a year, they sold all they had, and moved to the Washington, D.C. area to attend Washington Bible College. Through a series of Providential events and Bill's passion to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many as he could, his burden for those behind bars was born.
He became the Founder, and later served as President Emeritus, of the Good News Mission and Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. This ministry is a Christian outreach that provides chaplains, volunteers, counseling, and educational programs to jails and prisons worldwide, changing hopeless lives by bringing the Gospel message of saving grace through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Bill pioneered many "firsts" in jail ministry and the correctional chaplaincy such as providing libraries in jails and establishing work release and study release.
Bill became an Ordained Minister in 1963 at Sunset Hills Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Education from Washington Bible College in Washington D.C; Master of Arts in Christian Education from The International College, Graduate School of Theology in Honolulu, Hawaii; Master of Theology from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida; Master of Arts from Liberty University; Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary; Doctor of Humanities from Florida Beacon College in St. Petersburg, Florida; and a Doctor of Ministry, School of Religion from Liberty University. Bill was a member of Thomas Road Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by brothers Larry Simmer and Stanley Simmer.
In addition to his wife, Yvette, he is survived by his children, Cathy Marks and husband Dr. John Marks of Greensboro, NC, Charlotte La Fratta and husband Larry of Lynchburg, and William L. Simmer II of Wilmington, DE; step-daughter Laura Anne Gardner and husband Michael of Bristol, CT; six grandchildren, Kathryn Eades and husband Rev. Matthew Eades of Charlotte, NC, Susanna Stephens and husband Paul of Appomattox, Jaclyn Clark and husband Brandon of Rustburg, Steven Savage, Daniel Savage, and David Savage of Nashville, TN; seven great grandchildren, John Thomas, Ava Rose, Jackson, Aiden, Cooper, Connor, and William Austin; brother, Roger Simmer of Hudson, FL; sister, Wanda Bishop and husband William of Port Charlotte, FL; and numerous other family members and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2015, at Thomas Road Baptist Church Pate Chapel with Dr. Harry Fletcher and Dr. Harry Greene officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, where military honors will be presented.
For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, the family would like you to consider "The William L. Simmer Memorial Fund" to help train chaplains – at Good News Jail & Prison Ministry, PO Box 9760 Henrico, VA 23228. (www.goodnewsjail.org)
SIMMER, WILLIAM L
SSGT US AIR FORCE
WORLD WAR II, KOREA
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/02/1929
DATE OF DEATH: 02/22/2015
BURIED AT: SECTION 7 ROW 8 SITE 19
VIRGINIA VETERANS CEMETERY AT AMELIA
AMELIA, VA 23002
Born on October 2, 1929, in Ottumwa, Iowa, but growing up in Des Moines, he was the son of the late Alfred Myers Simmer and Florence Robbins Simmer. Bill served our country in the United States Army Air Corps. He received the WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, and Good Conduct Medal. He served in Greenland, Germany in the Berlin Air Lift, and was an Air Traffic Supervisor.
Bill and his wife Helen became followers of Jesus Christ early in their marriage when they resided in the Boston area where Bill had several businesses. Within a year, they sold all they had, and moved to the Washington, D.C. area to attend Washington Bible College. Through a series of Providential events and Bill's passion to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many as he could, his burden for those behind bars was born.
He became the Founder, and later served as President Emeritus, of the Good News Mission and Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. This ministry is a Christian outreach that provides chaplains, volunteers, counseling, and educational programs to jails and prisons worldwide, changing hopeless lives by bringing the Gospel message of saving grace through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Bill pioneered many "firsts" in jail ministry and the correctional chaplaincy such as providing libraries in jails and establishing work release and study release.
Bill became an Ordained Minister in 1963 at Sunset Hills Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Education from Washington Bible College in Washington D.C; Master of Arts in Christian Education from The International College, Graduate School of Theology in Honolulu, Hawaii; Master of Theology from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida; Master of Arts from Liberty University; Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary; Doctor of Humanities from Florida Beacon College in St. Petersburg, Florida; and a Doctor of Ministry, School of Religion from Liberty University. Bill was a member of Thomas Road Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by brothers Larry Simmer and Stanley Simmer.
In addition to his wife, Yvette, he is survived by his children, Cathy Marks and husband Dr. John Marks of Greensboro, NC, Charlotte La Fratta and husband Larry of Lynchburg, and William L. Simmer II of Wilmington, DE; step-daughter Laura Anne Gardner and husband Michael of Bristol, CT; six grandchildren, Kathryn Eades and husband Rev. Matthew Eades of Charlotte, NC, Susanna Stephens and husband Paul of Appomattox, Jaclyn Clark and husband Brandon of Rustburg, Steven Savage, Daniel Savage, and David Savage of Nashville, TN; seven great grandchildren, John Thomas, Ava Rose, Jackson, Aiden, Cooper, Connor, and William Austin; brother, Roger Simmer of Hudson, FL; sister, Wanda Bishop and husband William of Port Charlotte, FL; and numerous other family members and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2015, at Thomas Road Baptist Church Pate Chapel with Dr. Harry Fletcher and Dr. Harry Greene officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, where military honors will be presented.
For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, the family would like you to consider "The William L. Simmer Memorial Fund" to help train chaplains – at Good News Jail & Prison Ministry, PO Box 9760 Henrico, VA 23228. (www.goodnewsjail.org)
SIMMER, WILLIAM L
SSGT US AIR FORCE
WORLD WAR II, KOREA
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/02/1929
DATE OF DEATH: 02/22/2015
BURIED AT: SECTION 7 ROW 8 SITE 19
VIRGINIA VETERANS CEMETERY AT AMELIA
AMELIA, VA 23002
Dr. William Leonard "Bill" Simmer, 85, of Forest, went to be with his Lord on Sunday, February 22, 2015, at his residence. He was the loving husband of Yvette Blais Simmer and the late Helen Mylum Simmer.
Born on October 2, 1929, in Ottumwa, Iowa, but growing up in Des Moines, he was the son of the late Alfred Myers Simmer and Florence Robbins Simmer. Bill served our country in the United States Army Air Corps. He received the WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, and Good Conduct Medal. He served in Greenland, Germany in the Berlin Air Lift, and was an Air Traffic Supervisor.
Bill and his wife Helen became followers of Jesus Christ early in their marriage when they resided in the Boston area where Bill had several businesses. Within a year, they sold all they had, and moved to the Washington, D.C. area to attend Washington Bible College. Through a series of Providential events and Bill's passion to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many as he could, his burden for those behind bars was born.
He became the Founder, and later served as President Emeritus, of the Good News Mission and Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. This ministry is a Christian outreach that provides chaplains, volunteers, counseling, and educational programs to jails and prisons worldwide, changing hopeless lives by bringing the Gospel message of saving grace through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Bill pioneered many "firsts" in jail ministry and the correctional chaplaincy such as providing libraries in jails and establishing work release and study release.
Bill became an Ordained Minister in 1963 at Sunset Hills Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Education from Washington Bible College in Washington D.C; Master of Arts in Christian Education from The International College, Graduate School of Theology in Honolulu, Hawaii; Master of Theology from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida; Master of Arts from Liberty University; Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary; Doctor of Humanities from Florida Beacon College in St. Petersburg, Florida; and a Doctor of Ministry, School of Religion from Liberty University. Bill was a member of Thomas Road Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by brothers Larry Simmer and Stanley Simmer.
In addition to his wife, Yvette, he is survived by his children, Cathy Marks and husband Dr. John Marks of Greensboro, NC, Charlotte La Fratta and husband Larry of Lynchburg, and William L. Simmer II of Wilmington, DE; step-daughter Laura Anne Gardner and husband Michael of Bristol, CT; six grandchildren, Kathryn Eades and husband Rev. Matthew Eades of Charlotte, NC, Susanna Stephens and husband Paul of Appomattox, Jaclyn Clark and husband Brandon of Rustburg, Steven Savage, Daniel Savage, and David Savage of Nashville, TN; seven great grandchildren, John Thomas, Ava Rose, Jackson, Aiden, Cooper, Connor, and William Austin; brother, Roger Simmer of Hudson, FL; sister, Wanda Bishop and husband William of Port Charlotte, FL; and numerous other family members and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2015, at Thomas Road Baptist Church Pate Chapel with Dr. Harry Fletcher and Dr. Harry Greene officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, where military honors will be presented.
For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, the family would like you to consider "The William L. Simmer Memorial Fund" to help train chaplains – at Good News Jail & Prison Ministry, PO Box 9760 Henrico, VA 23228. (www.goodnewsjail.org)
SIMMER, WILLIAM L
SSGT US AIR FORCE
WORLD WAR II, KOREA
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/02/1929
DATE OF DEATH: 02/22/2015
BURIED AT: SECTION 7 ROW 8 SITE 19
VIRGINIA VETERANS CEMETERY AT AMELIA
AMELIA, VA 23002
Born on October 2, 1929, in Ottumwa, Iowa, but growing up in Des Moines, he was the son of the late Alfred Myers Simmer and Florence Robbins Simmer. Bill served our country in the United States Army Air Corps. He received the WWII Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal with Germany Clasp, and Good Conduct Medal. He served in Greenland, Germany in the Berlin Air Lift, and was an Air Traffic Supervisor.
Bill and his wife Helen became followers of Jesus Christ early in their marriage when they resided in the Boston area where Bill had several businesses. Within a year, they sold all they had, and moved to the Washington, D.C. area to attend Washington Bible College. Through a series of Providential events and Bill's passion to share the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many as he could, his burden for those behind bars was born.
He became the Founder, and later served as President Emeritus, of the Good News Mission and Good News Jail and Prison Ministry. This ministry is a Christian outreach that provides chaplains, volunteers, counseling, and educational programs to jails and prisons worldwide, changing hopeless lives by bringing the Gospel message of saving grace through a relationship with Jesus Christ. Bill pioneered many "firsts" in jail ministry and the correctional chaplaincy such as providing libraries in jails and establishing work release and study release.
Bill became an Ordained Minister in 1963 at Sunset Hills Baptist Church in Alexandria, VA. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Education from Washington Bible College in Washington D.C; Master of Arts in Christian Education from The International College, Graduate School of Theology in Honolulu, Hawaii; Master of Theology from Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Florida; Master of Arts from Liberty University; Master of Arts in Religion from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary; Doctor of Humanities from Florida Beacon College in St. Petersburg, Florida; and a Doctor of Ministry, School of Religion from Liberty University. Bill was a member of Thomas Road Baptist Church.
In addition to his parents and first wife, he was preceded in death by brothers Larry Simmer and Stanley Simmer.
In addition to his wife, Yvette, he is survived by his children, Cathy Marks and husband Dr. John Marks of Greensboro, NC, Charlotte La Fratta and husband Larry of Lynchburg, and William L. Simmer II of Wilmington, DE; step-daughter Laura Anne Gardner and husband Michael of Bristol, CT; six grandchildren, Kathryn Eades and husband Rev. Matthew Eades of Charlotte, NC, Susanna Stephens and husband Paul of Appomattox, Jaclyn Clark and husband Brandon of Rustburg, Steven Savage, Daniel Savage, and David Savage of Nashville, TN; seven great grandchildren, John Thomas, Ava Rose, Jackson, Aiden, Cooper, Connor, and William Austin; brother, Roger Simmer of Hudson, FL; sister, Wanda Bishop and husband William of Port Charlotte, FL; and numerous other family members and friends.
A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 2, 2015, at Thomas Road Baptist Church Pate Chapel with Dr. Harry Fletcher and Dr. Harry Greene officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:00 a.m. until time of service. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia, where military honors will be presented.
For those wishing to make a memorial contribution, the family would like you to consider "The William L. Simmer Memorial Fund" to help train chaplains – at Good News Jail & Prison Ministry, PO Box 9760 Henrico, VA 23228. (www.goodnewsjail.org)
SIMMER, WILLIAM L
SSGT US AIR FORCE
WORLD WAR II, KOREA
DATE OF BIRTH: 10/02/1929
DATE OF DEATH: 02/22/2015
BURIED AT: SECTION 7 ROW 8 SITE 19
VIRGINIA VETERANS CEMETERY AT AMELIA
AMELIA, VA 23002
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