Billie Daniel Simmon

Billie Simmon passed away at a local hospital on May 13, 2017. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on May 16 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church with the Reverend Sharron Cox officiating. A graveside service and burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will receive guests at a reception to be held at 4907 Lakehurst after both services. Mrs. Simmon was born December 30, 1918, in Corsicana, Texas, to Lemuel Glenn Daniel and Leta M. Daniel, but she lived in Waco her entire life. She attended Waco High School and went on to graduate from Baylor University with a bachelor’s degree in English She married Peter C. Simmon in 1943 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, where she had been a member her whole life. Fully engaged with church life as a frequent volunteer for many activities, she was also president of the Episcopal Church Women and was involved with the Altar Guild for many years. Billie was also president of the Current Events Club, president of the Friday Forum, Docent for the Historic Waco Foundation, President of the Oakwood Cemetery Board, and a Meals on Wheels volunteer for many years. Additionally, she was presented as a debutante by the Waco Hedonia Society in 1938. She also enjoyed being assistant librarian at Richfield High School (now Waco High School). Billie traveled the world with her beloved husband, friends, and family over many years, documenting those travels in many wonderful photo albums. She loved her cats and especially enjoyed having Pussy Willow supply all of Waco with kittens in the 1950’s. She played bridge and Mah Jong and looked forward to the monthly “sewing club” meetings, where they never sewed! Gardening was another hobby that brought her joy throughout her life. When Billie wasn’t involved in all of these activities, she was making instant friends in all the venues she encountered; and whether it was a party or HEB or the drug store or a gas station, she was never a stranger to anyone. Most important of all, she was a wonderful mother. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her son, Greg. She is survived by her daughter Terry Kees and husband Terry Defibaugh; her son Randall and his wife, Marilyn; grandchildren Marlo Wilks and Blake Simmon and spouse Jason Shumake; great grandchildren Katelin Wilks and Jackson Wilks; great great grandchild Ava Wilks; and special friends Alice Harwell, Shirley Brothers, and Henry Dietz. The family suggests that memorials be made to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church or to a preferred charity. You may send a message of sympathy to Wilkirson Hatch Bailey Funeral Home addressed to Terry Kees, 6101 Bosque Blvd., Waco, Texas 76710, or record a memory or message in our “memorial Guestbook available at www.WHBfamily.com