Wilbert J. Simmons Jr.

Bucky graduated from Southern High School in 1963 and Wingate Jr College (now Wingate University) in 1965. He then joined the Air Force and married his loving wife, Martha “Molly” Simmons on March 27, 1966.

Bucky was a Staff Sergeant and served four years including a year in Thailand during the Vietnam War. They then moved to Chapel Hill, NC to start their family where he began his 27-year career with the Chapel Hill Police Department.

He loved raising his three girls as Carolina Tar Heel fans and active members of Carrboro Baptist Church. He enjoyed spending time working on cars, riding motorcycles, playing a little golf and frequently going to the movies. He provided and took care of his family through his handy talents such as remodeling the kitchen with his own two hands, building his girls a tree house, and helping friends and neighbors negotiate the best car buying deal.

Bucky loved his family, extended family, church and community well. He was known as a provider and caregiver who was very attentive to others’ needs. He was always available for a good, lengthy conversation where he was sure to add many jokes.

After retirement he was an active member of Farrington Rd. Baptist Church where he was ordained a deacon. He also taught Drivers Education, sold cars, and spent time caring for his parents and in-laws. He and Molly loved traveling to visit their six grandchildren and attending their various sporting events and activities. His family and friends will remember him by his love for Jesus, his quick-witted humor, and his devotion to his wife and family.

Bucky is preceded in death by his parents Wilbert J. and Lois M. Simmons, his sister Barbara Jean Waters, and niece Melissa Metcalf.

He is survived by his wife, Molly, just two months shy of 60 years of marriage; his sister Mary Ann Metcalf of Chapel Hill; his aunt Dureme "Dee" Koger of Charlotte, NC; his children Martha Chase (Rahn) of Lenoir, NC, Mitzi Render (Clif) of Glastonbury, CT, and Jamie Howell (Preston III) of Belmont, NC; his six grandchildren Claire Chase Earnhardt (AJ), Sarah Chase-Jones (Will), Jennie Chase, Asa Render, Preston Howell IV, Bethany Howell, and four great grandchildren.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service on Friday, January 30, 2026 at 2pm at Good Shepherd Church of Charlotte with Dr. Josh Hughes officiating.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026 at 1pm at Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery located at 1721 Legion Road in Chapel Hill with US Air Force funeral honors.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to two different organizations that were special to Bucky. The first one is The Rollin’ Hornets. This is a wheelchair basketball team that Bucky’s grandson, Preston, played on growing up in Charlotte. The family continues to volunteer and cheer on this amazing organization that provides adaptive sport to children and adults with physical disabilities. Donations can be made at www.rollinhornets.org or by mail to Abilities Unlimited of the Carolinas 2634 Bellasera Way, Matthews, NC 28105.

The second suggested organization is BreakthroughT1D. This is a worldwide organization funding the mission to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes at https://www.breakthrought1d.org/