Fred Hickman Simmons

Fred Hickman Simmons, 90, of Justin, passed away Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008, at his home. Visitation will be from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 17, at DeBerry Funeral Directors. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18, at First Baptist Church Justin. Burial will follow at Justin Cemetery. He was born Jan. 7, 1918, on his uncle's farm near Whitney, to Virgil Lee Simmons and Mattie Ethel Worley. He married Hattie Louise Pennington June 24, 1944, in Justin. She preceded him in death. He was a member of First Baptist Church Justin, where he served as a deacon for over 50 years. Mr. Simmons was a veteran of World War II. He enlisted in the Army in 1941, and served with the 86th Infantry "Black Hawk" Division in Europe, then in the Philippines before being honorably discharged in 1946. He and his wife bought their farm on Denton Creek in the Drop community in 1947 where he resided until his death. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; three sisters:, Pearl Hutchison and Lola Hutchison of Fort Worth, and Sudie Gant of Lockney, Texas; and brothers, Nelson "Mike" Simmons of Whitney, and Oliver Simmons of Waco. Mr. Simmons is survived by his daughter, Vicki Parsons and husband, Tom, of Justin; a son, Ronnie Simmons, also of Justin; five grandchildren; and one great-grandson. Memorials may be made to Building Fund FBC Justin, P.O. Box 309, Justin, TX 76247. Bill DeBerry Funeral Directors, Denton January 7, 1918 -January 15, 2008 Sign the Guest Book at www.wacotrib.com