James William Simons

James William Simons, 96, of New Market, VA died June 13, 2012 at Mary Washington Hospital in Fredericksburg. He was born on September 23, 1915 in Front Royal, Virginia and was the son of Bertie Virginia Martin and James William Simons. He had nine siblings who predeceased him: Dae, Ruth, Ethel, Catherine, Bill, Charles, Jack, Mary, and Leslie. Jimmy graduated from Warren County High School and worked as a plumber in his partnership business Simons & Tyler Plumbing & Heating until 1960. He continued to work as a plumber until he retired in 1980. Jimmy served in the 94th Navy Sea Bees on the ship The Southern Cross during WWII. He married Olsie (Betty Jane) Blevins on September 1, 1939. They resided on Strathmeade St. in Falls Church until Betty’s death on December 14, 1994. He became a member of National Gardens Baptist Church in Falls Church in 1947 where he taught Sunday school for nearly fifty years; positively affecting the lives of many youth. On December 13, 1997, he married Ruth V. Crider and moved to New Market, VA where they resided until her death on July 15, 2011. Jimmy is survived by his two step-sons: Carlton P. Crider and wife Brenda of Eugene, OR and Gary W. Crider and wife Brenda of Northfield, MA. He leaves four step-grandchildren: Ginny and husband, Stephen Hauger of Spotsylvania, Lisa Ramage of Charleston, SC and Lindsay and Lori Crider of Eugene, OR and two great-grandchildren: Jenna and Jack Hauger. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews (local : Dick & Jamie Crompton of Manassas, Barbara Crompton of Springfield, and Pauline Woodward of MD) and many former Sunday school students and friends. A Memorial service will be held at the National Memorial Park Chapel, Falls Church, VA on July 7, 2012 at 11 A.M. with a reception to follow.