Dr. Wilbur E. Simmons

Dr. Wilbur E. Simmons, age 80 of Temple, went to be with the Lord on Friday, January 17, 2014 in a local care center. Services will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, January 20, at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home with Chaplain Bruce Mercer, Tim Simmons and Rev. Ron Woody officiating. Burial will follow at North Belton Cemetery. Visitation will be 6:00 - 7:00 PM Sunday at the funeral home. Dr. Simmons was born May 10, 1933 in Devon, Kansas to Earl and Hazel Killion Simmons. At the age of 12 he was saved and at age 13 he surrendered to the ministry. At the age of 18 he moved to Fort Worth to attend Bible Baptist Seminary. In 1951 he took Barbara Fay Foster as his wife and they were married for 62 years. He was of the Baptist faith and pastored churches throughout Texas in Roanoke, Hurst, Henderson, Cleburne, Gainesville, Decatur, Paris and Arthur City. He had a special calling for the sick, shut-ins, bereaved and winning the lost to Christ. He received an honorary doctorate degree from his association of pastors. Wilbur retired from ministry in 2002 after 54 years of following His calling to be a pastor. He will be missed and forever in our hearts. He was a very good husband, father and pastor and just loved being with people. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Verlin Edward Simmons, Gordon Claire Simmons and Ronald Ray Simmons and son-in-law, Jake Stumfoll. Survivors include his wife, Barbara Fay Simmons of Temple, three sons, Stephen Earl Simmons and wife, Whelma of The Philippines, Timothy Earl Simmons and wife, Cheryl of Temple and Daniel Ray Simmons of Bedford. Also surviving are four grandchildren, Courtny Jo Strom, Matthew Simmons, Whitney Bo Simmons and Colin Earl Simmons, a sister, Doris Jean Stumfoll and sisters-in-law, Bernadine Simmons and Marilyn Simmons.