William Kemp "Bill" Simmons

Obituary Provided by the Family
William "Bill" Kemp Simmons, of Duncanville, Texas, age 94, graduated to Heaven on May 3, 2025. A devoted family man, patriot and veteran, and a dedicated servant to his faith and community, Bill's life was marked by kindness, a deep love for music and study of the bible. Born on November 6th 1930, in Moberly, Missouri, he grew up in the heartland of America. His father was a Railroad Foreman and his mother a homemaker. He graduated from Brunswick High School in Brunswick, Missouri, as Vice President of his class in 1949.
Bill's love of the Lord and his calling to serve led him to pursue a degree in Theology and Liberal Arts, at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas. He met the love of his life, Billie Juanita Graves, while attending Howard Payne. They were married on the same day of their graduation ceremony on May 28th, 1954. Bill fully intended on becoming a minister.
However, he was inducted into the United States Army in June of 1955 and served during the Korean War as a Broadcast Specialist and News Analyst Broadcaster for Gypsy Radio, a station located on base. He was promoted to Corporal during his time of service. William and his Gypsy brothers in arms enjoyed playing music, performing fire eating exhibitions, and putting on plays for the troops. His exemplary service was recognized with the Good Conduct Medal before his honorable discharge in 1957.
Following his military service, Bill embarked on a career that combined his passion for faith and communication. He started as a disc jockey, became the Program Manager, and was promoted to Station Manager at KSKY, a Gospel radio station in Dallas, Texas. A role he held with distinction until his retirement in 1995. His voice and leadership brought comfort and inspiration to countless listeners over the decades. Bill loved his coworkers like family and led bible studies at the station and encouraged them through scripture.
Bill did not slow down after retirement! For more than fifteen years following his departure from Radio Broadcasting, he worked with American Mortuary Service. In this role, he provided dignified transportation for loved ones to their final resting places. A true calling that demonstrated his lifelong compassion and respect for others. He made friends everywhere he traveled and taught his daughters, Valli and Vanessa how important it was to be kind to every person they met in life. There was never such a thing as a stranger!
Bill served as a Deacon and Sunday school leader for more than twenty five years, and led and directed Christmas and Easter plays at First Baptist Church in Duncanville, Texas for many years with Jerre. They later joined The United Methodist Church of Duncanville and found new friends and opportunities for service. His favorite church later in life, First Baptist Church of Waxahachie, brought him great joy as he loved the Pastor and the choir. Dad found many wonderful friends in his class at Duncanville Baptist Church and they formed a dinner club group that forged strong, precious relationships. He was a member of the Elks Club of Oak Cliff, Texas. He loved his wife Jerre every day of their lives and enjoyed dancing the night away with her at ballroom dance parties. They truly "danced all over the world" together. Those who knew him remember him as friendly and kind, loving, generous, faith-filled, and funny. He had a knack for always being ready to dispense encouragement with words of gentle wisdom!
In addition to being the envy of all on the dance floor with his smooth moves, he was an expert photographer who chronicled every moment he could capture. Sharing time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren was his favorite time spent. He was a master at imaginary play and could entertain for hours on end with his grands! Dad had a gift and a passion for baking the best apple pie known on earth, homemade chocolate turtles, and cookies for his family and friends.
He enjoyed sixty seven years of marriage to his beloved wife, Billie (Jerre) Simmons, until her graduation to Heaven on December 3rd, 2021. Together, they created a family rooted in love.
Bill was preceded in death by his father, Trevey Kemp Simmons, and mother, Violet Fern Simmons, and one sister, Wanda Simmons. Bill is survived by his daughter, Valli Simmons and her husband Jeffrey Simmons; his youngest daughter, Vanessa Kramer and her husband Darin Kramer; grandchildren Chanel Copeland, Chris Copeland, Dylan Copeland, Colton McClain and Payton McClain; great grandchildren Raven Valentine Copeland and Samuel Copeland.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
13 Our brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. 14 For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.
To be absent from the body is to be with the Lord! It's not goodbye! It's see you later!
Donations in memory of Bill's servant leadership should be made payable to:
Buckner Children and Family Services C/o 5200 South Buckner Boulevard Dallas, Texas 75227
Gifts may be made online at http://www.buckner.org/.donatenow
Unless otherwise directed, every penny given to Buckner will be used for the benefit of children served in the Dallas area.
Mullin-Fuller Funeral Home