William Braxton “Bill” Simmons, Sr. a longtime resident of Mansfield, Texas unexpectedly passed away on September 26, 2022 at the age of 90. His passing was completely unexpected and the family is shocked and deeply saddened.
William Braxton Simmons Sr. was born to Arnold Jardine Simmons and Mary Alice Simmons on February 21, 1932 in Southampton, Bermuda. He is preceded in death by his father, mother, first wife Dorothy, Brothers Wilfred and Stanley, Sisters Edith Butler and Patricia Lambert and a son Aaron Johnston.
Bill attended elementary school at Elliot School and Central School. He subsequently attended the Royal Navy Dockyard Trade at Ireland Island in Bermuda, but when the Dockyard was closed in 1950 all of the students were sent to Portsmouth, England to complete their training. Bill returned to Bermuda three years later as a certified shipwright. A monument honoring those that attended the Royal Navy Dockyard Trade School can be seen at the National Museum of Bermuda at Dockyard. He also worked as a police office for a few years.
Bill met the love of his life Dorothy Cherry when she visited Bermuda as a tourist. Bill left Bermuda in 1960 to marry Dorothy and they finally ended up living in South Plainfield, NJ. To that union, a son William Braxton, Jr. was born.
After many years of dedicated service to Macy’s as a Distribution Manager, Bill retired in the early 1990’s. In his retirement years he enjoyed walking in the park with friends, travelling and most of all cooking. He especially enjoyed cooking great food for family, friends and on special occasions and holidays.
After thirty-two years in South Plainfield Bill and Dorothy relocated to Mansfield, Texas to be closer to their son and his family. His wife (Dorothy) passed away shortly after moving to Mansfield, Texas in November 2005.
In fact, he would jokingly tell people his food is how he got his soulmate Locha Rowan. He say “after cooking he would put a fan out pointed in the direction of her home so that she’d smell the amazing aroma from his kitchen. At one of his cookouts in Texas, he invited all of his neighbors and after tasting his food the rest was history. On July 2, 2011 he married Locha. They enjoyed travelling and together they visited countries in Europe, Asia, and South America, in addition to Australia, New Zealand and of course Bermuda. They have cruised the Caribbean and Mexican island.
Bill lived a full and exciting life with a loving family and many friends. He leaves to cherish his memory his soulmate Locha Rowan Simmons, two sons William (Pamela) Simmons JR, Clyde Holder of Bermuda, three daughters Charmaine Smith of Bermuda, Locha Brooks of Arlington, TX and Dr. Ysatis Williams of St. Louis, MO; one brother Eulett Simmons of Bermuda; two sister in laws Enid A. Simmons & Yvonne Simmons both from Bermuda. Mother in law Ruth Rowan of St. Louis, MO, father in law Allen (Marianne) Davis of Little Rock, AR. His grandchildren Laura (Jeff) Aschenbrenner, Travis and Brianna Simmons and Pharoah and Sire’ Brooks. A great grandson Lincoln Aschenbrenner. A host of nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, cousins and friends. A special friend Jim Cary of Amsterdam, Holland.
A visitation held on Thursday, October 6th from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM at Moore Funeral Home in Arlington, Texas.
A committal service will take place in Moore Memorial Gardens following the funeral service.
