Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
BORN
1937
DIED
2025
Billy Simmons Obituary
Billy "Bill" Price Simmons
October 16, 1937 - January 27, 2025
Billy Price Simmons, 87, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife Jane and his family.
He was born on October 16, 1937, in Newman, Calif., to William Cleo and Mildred Virginia (Marshall) Simmons. Bill graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1956 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps; he served six years and was honorably discharged at the rank of Lance Corporal.
Bill earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University in 1963, and began his professional career as an engineer at The Trane Company in La Crosse, Wis. Shortly after moving here, Bill met Jane M. Markos, daughter of Mark S. and Julia M., and made La Crosse his permanent home. They married in 1967 at Christ Episcopal Church and have two children and three grandchildren. Their son, William Simmons, his wife, Amanda, and their daughter, Rosemary, live in Red Wing, Minnesota. Their daughter, Regina Davan, her husband, Jeffrey, and children, Jonathan and Michael, live in Madison, Wisconsin.
Bill was employed at The Trane Company for 38 years. He worked in the product testing lab and in product design and development. Bill's work led to registering multiple patents related to product reliability and performance improvement. In 1974, he earned his Professional Engineer license. He retired as a Principal Engineer in 2001. During his time with Trane, he made many lifelong friendships and enjoyed playing in company sports leagues, even after retirement. These professional and personal relationships were an integral part of his life.
For over 50 years, Bill was devoted to supporting Christ Episcopal Church. He was elected to the church vestry multiple times and served as an usher. He held positions on the church's Building and Grounds Committee and also on the Finance Committee. His dedicated efforts and thoughtful insights were meaningful and long lasting.
Bill is survived by his wife, Jane; their son, William (Amanda) Simmons; daughter, Regina (Jeffrey) Davan; and grandchildren, Jonathan, Michael, and Rosemary. Bill is also survived by his sister, Carolyn (d. George) Woodard; nephew, James Woodard; and niece, Johanna Woodard of Tulsa, Okla.
He is further survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Regina (S. Michael) Kilbey, Arden Markos, Joan (Thomas) Markos-Horejs; and nieces and nephews, S. Michael (Sheri) Kilbey II and children, Markos, Julia and Matthew; Julie Markos; Amy (Joshua) Ruegg and children, Julia, Marie and Virginia; Mark (Ann) Kilbey and children, Sid and Salem; Charlotte (Robb) Irrgang; Sandra (Steven) Elsen and children, David and Rosemary; great-nephew, Michael S. Bomberg.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mildred Simmons; father and mother-in-law, Mark S. and Julia M. Markos; brothers-in-law, George Woodard and Salem Markos II; sister-in-law, Charlotte Markos-Kann; and niece, Joan Kilbey.
Bill's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff of the Oncology, Interventional Radiology, and Hospice Departments at Gundersen Health Care System for the care and support they provided, especially Dr. Gil Harmon, Maggie, Laurie, and Dan Hensgen.
God has wonderful ways of giving us special people in our lives. He gave us Bill, who was well respected and loved. Bill had the great ability to balance his intelligence and practicality with his fun-loving spirit. We will miss him dearly. May his memory be eternal.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., with visitation at 10 a.m., on Monday, February 3rd at Christ Episcopal Church, 9th and Main St. The burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery immediately following the service.
The Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Memorials may be given to Christ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 2908, La Crosse, WI 54602 or Gundersen Medical Foundation, earmarked for Cancer Research, 1900 South Avenue, La Crosse, WI 54601.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com.
October 16, 1937 - January 27, 2025
Billy Price Simmons, 87, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2025, surrounded by his loving wife Jane and his family.
He was born on October 16, 1937, in Newman, Calif., to William Cleo and Mildred Virginia (Marshall) Simmons. Bill graduated from Tulsa Central High School in 1956 and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps; he served six years and was honorably discharged at the rank of Lance Corporal.
Bill earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Oklahoma State University in 1963, and began his professional career as an engineer at The Trane Company in La Crosse, Wis. Shortly after moving here, Bill met Jane M. Markos, daughter of Mark S. and Julia M., and made La Crosse his permanent home. They married in 1967 at Christ Episcopal Church and have two children and three grandchildren. Their son, William Simmons, his wife, Amanda, and their daughter, Rosemary, live in Red Wing, Minnesota. Their daughter, Regina Davan, her husband, Jeffrey, and children, Jonathan and Michael, live in Madison, Wisconsin.
Bill was employed at The Trane Company for 38 years. He worked in the product testing lab and in product design and development. Bill's work led to registering multiple patents related to product reliability and performance improvement. In 1974, he earned his Professional Engineer license. He retired as a Principal Engineer in 2001. During his time with Trane, he made many lifelong friendships and enjoyed playing in company sports leagues, even after retirement. These professional and personal relationships were an integral part of his life.
For over 50 years, Bill was devoted to supporting Christ Episcopal Church. He was elected to the church vestry multiple times and served as an usher. He held positions on the church's Building and Grounds Committee and also on the Finance Committee. His dedicated efforts and thoughtful insights were meaningful and long lasting.
Bill is survived by his wife, Jane; their son, William (Amanda) Simmons; daughter, Regina (Jeffrey) Davan; and grandchildren, Jonathan, Michael, and Rosemary. Bill is also survived by his sister, Carolyn (d. George) Woodard; nephew, James Woodard; and niece, Johanna Woodard of Tulsa, Okla.
He is further survived by sisters and brothers-in-law, Regina (S. Michael) Kilbey, Arden Markos, Joan (Thomas) Markos-Horejs; and nieces and nephews, S. Michael (Sheri) Kilbey II and children, Markos, Julia and Matthew; Julie Markos; Amy (Joshua) Ruegg and children, Julia, Marie and Virginia; Mark (Ann) Kilbey and children, Sid and Salem; Charlotte (Robb) Irrgang; Sandra (Steven) Elsen and children, David and Rosemary; great-nephew, Michael S. Bomberg.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Mildred Simmons; father and mother-in-law, Mark S. and Julia M. Markos; brothers-in-law, George Woodard and Salem Markos II; sister-in-law, Charlotte Markos-Kann; and niece, Joan Kilbey.
Bill's family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the entire staff of the Oncology, Interventional Radiology, and Hospice Departments at Gundersen Health Care System for the care and support they provided, especially Dr. Gil Harmon, Maggie, Laurie, and Dan Hensgen.
God has wonderful ways of giving us special people in our lives. He gave us Bill, who was well respected and loved. Bill had the great ability to balance his intelligence and practicality with his fun-loving spirit. We will miss him dearly. May his memory be eternal.
The funeral service will be at 11 a.m., with visitation at 10 a.m., on Monday, February 3rd at Christ Episcopal Church, 9th and Main St. The burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery immediately following the service.
The Dickinson Family Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Memorials may be given to Christ Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 2908, La Crosse, WI 54602 or Gundersen Medical Foundation, earmarked for Cancer Research, 1900 South Avenue, La Crosse, WI 54601.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.dickinsonfuneralhomes.com.
Published by Sioux City Journal on Feb. 1, 2025.
Memories and Condolences
for Billy Simmons
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
Make a Donation
in Billy Simmons's name
Memorial Events
for Billy Simmons
How to support Billy's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Billy Simmons's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
