William "Bill" D. Simkins

William D. “Bill” Simkins “Wild One”, 82 of North Henderson, IL, passed away on Friday, February 16, 2024, in Illinois City, Illinois.  

Bill was born November 8, 1941 in Rock Island, IL, the son of Robert D. and Lois Lorraine (Warder) Simkins.  He was raised and educated in Alexis, graduating from Alexis High School with the class of 1960.  

Bill married Karin Farm on April 8, 1962, at the Zion Lutheran Church in North Henderson and she survives.  

Bill was a truck driver by trade.  He owned and operated Simkins Trucking for many years.  Before starting Simkins Trucking, Bill farmed near North Henderson for 15 years. He later was a bus driver for the United School District and was a custodian at United North in Alexis.  He served several years as the North Henderson Township Road Commissioner and volunteered with the Alexis/North Henderson Ambulance and the North Henderson Fire Department.  

He was a member of the Zion Lutheran Church in North Henderson.  He loved working with horses and was the Trail Boss for the 100-mile Trail Ride.  Bill’s family was very important to him, and he relished attending all his grandchildren’s sporting and extracurricular activities.  He also enjoyed riding horses, snowmobiling, Demolition derby and riding motorcycles.  

Survivors include his wife, Karin Simkins of North Henderson; his children, Tina (Rick) Fox of Alexis, Tab Simkins of North Henderson, Tricia (Dennis) Meinen of Montrose, CO, and   Trent (Jeni) Simkins of  Alexis; grandchildren, Brian (Katelyn) Johnson, Billy (Kate) Johnson, Nate Johnson, Loren Fox, Brea Simkins, Kealy (Carter) Stewart, Maggie (Lawson) Simkins, Meagan Johnson, Tori (Adam) Wieberg, Derek (Brittany) Meinen and Darin Meinen; 9 great grandchildren; his sister, Janice Hintze of  East Moline, IL; brothers, Gary Simkins of Alexis and  Mike Simkins of New Boston, IL; step-brother, Bob Beachler of Gonzales, LA; numerous nieces, nephews and companion Beau.     

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant son, William D. Simkins; stepfather, Wendell Beachler; and son-in-law, Bruce Johnson.  

Memorial services will be 11:00 am Friday, February 23, 2024, at the Zion Lutheran Church in North Henderson, IL.  Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. A private family interment at Mt. Vernon Cemetery will take place at a later date.  Memorials may be given to the Bill Simkins Memorial Fund and sent to the funeral home.