William Alexander Simms

William Alexander Simms, 84, of Washington, died Wednesday, December 24, 2014, under hospice care in Washington County Health Center. He was born September 15, 1930, in Independence, PA, a son of the late Silas William Simms and Irma Glover Simms. A veteran of the Army, Mr. Simms served on active duty from January 30, 1951, until his honorable discharge on August 16, 1951, and in the Army Reserves until 1956. Mr. Simms studied accounting at Penn Commercial. For 25 years, he was the Director of Maintenance and Grounds at Presbyterian Medical Center. He was a member of Fourth Presbyterian Church, Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion Edwin Scott Linton Post 175 and a former member of the Moose Lodge. Mr. Simms enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, playing dart ball, gardening, bowling on several leagues and coaching Pony League Baseball. On December 6, 1952, he married Jo Ann Claffey, who survives. Also surviving are two sons, Gregory (Martha) Simms of Mauldin, South Carolina and Jonathan Simms of Washington; two daughters, Lou Ann (Todd) LeVan of Houston and Billie Jo (Matthew) Mance of Cokeburg; a brother, Lester (Loretta) Simms of Washington; a sister, Marlene Marshall of Washington; five grandchildren, Cassie (Josh) Humphries, Abby (Troy) Beattie, Matthew (Linsey), Ali and Mallory; six great grandchildren, Reece, Emma, Hunter, Holdyn, Ryland and Harper; a sister-in-law, Mary Lou McCann; and several nieces and nephews. Deceased are two brothers, Clinton and Jerry Simms; and five sisters, Hazel Chapman, Annie Sheppard, Ramona Thomas, Clara McMullens, and a sister who died in infancy. Friends will be received on Friday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m., in William G. Neal Funeral Homes, Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington, where services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, December 27th, with Chaplain Keith Meier officiating. Burial will follow in Washington Cemetery.