William Morris Osborne Simmons

Affectionately Known As “Billy” or “Bill”

William Morris Osborne Simmons was born May 6, 1942, in Talladega, Alabama. He entered eternal rest on January 8, 2022. He was the beloved husband of Barbara Anne Simmons for twenty-four and a half beautiful years. William, during his younger years was known by his family and close friends as “Billy”, and much later in life many friends started referring to him as “Bill”.

He attended Westside High School, and received his undergraduate degree from Talladega College, his favorite alma mater. After moving to Maryland, he received his master’s degree from Bowie State College. In Washington D.C. he attended Trinity College where he completed course work to earn his Advance Professional Certificate qualifying him for positions on the supervision and administration levels.

Bill crossed many career paths before settling down as an educator in Prince George’s County Public Schools. During his undergraduate years, Bill traveled to Atlantic City, New Jersey, for summer employment. After graduating, Bill remained in Talladega County to teach high school for a brief time. When Bill arrived in Maryland, and while waiting for a teaching position, he took on temporary work as a wine distributor and later the manager of Ginos. In 1973 Bill began his longest career path as an educator with Prince George’s County Public Schools as a social studies teacher and later becoming a vice principal and a principal. In 1996 he began working for the Department of Human Resources and Personnel as a Supervisor of Instructional Personnel. He later moved to the Office of Certification as a Human Resources Specialist until he retired on August 1, 2007.

Bill’s favorite colors, blue, black and white could be seen in nearly everything he wore. He loved stepping out to look like he was dressing for a fashion magazine cover. His daily work attire was always a suit and tie with one of his favorite hats. But mostly he enjoyed attending special formal affairs where he could pull out his tuxedo.

After retirement he continued to take on positions in education serving as a middle school Assistant Principal in the Charles County Public School system. However, in 2010 he returned to Prince George’s County Public Schools to work as a substitute Administrator until May 2020. William “Bill” Simmons worked tirelessly and dedicated a total of 43.7 years to education.

Bill enjoyed traveling and some of his favorite travel adventures included cruising the Mediterranean with visits to places in Italy (Rome, Amalfi Coast, Sicily), Greece, Turkey, Egypt, cruising the Panama Canal, and Alaska. Two of his favorite places, Barbados where he first traveled with Barbara, and Martha’s Vineyard, their last trip, where they were married and spent nearly every year celebrating their anniversary. In addition to travel, he enjoyed cooking. He loved making his favorite secret recipe for sweet potato pie. For the holidays he would pump out numerous pies to give to his family, friends and neighbors. And while cooking, he would keep that one eye on his favorite old TV Western movies. Bill grew up loving sports, he played football during his high school years, and in later years he enjoyed tennis, horseback riding and skiing. When Barbara became interesting in quilting so did Bill, but he showed no interest in making quilt, as an honorary member of Barbara’s Bee group, he surely enjoyed driving the Bees around on their “shop hop” trips.

Bill loved nature and being outdoors brought him so much joy and peace. He loved living in his country setting where he spent time watching for wildlife such as eagles, hawks, deer and an occasional fox or coyote. His most favorite outdoor enjoyment involved the daily feedings of the backyard birds and the frenzy feedings of the hummingbirds. Bill’s love for birds extended into his home where for years he raised cockatiels. Among the family pets he loved his horse Shasta and his two favorite fur babies, Scooter and Chloe. Gardening was always on his mind including planning, designing, planting, and occasionally growing his favorites, watermelon and tomatoes.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents Ada Clara Simmons and John Willie Simmons. Bill leaves to cherish and celebrate his memory: His loving wife, Barbara Anne Simmons; son Titus Simmons (Belva), and step-son Montego Parker. Bill was the oldest of four brothers: Only surviving brother, Willie Ed Simmons (Ola “GiGi”) and their children Darian “DD” Simmons and (Carla), Tanecia Simmons; deceased brother Terry Simmons, his children Terrish Patterson and (Stanley) and Terrance Simmons; and deceased brother John David Simmons, his children John Ferrold “Jay” Simmons, Nikki Simmons, Anthony Simmons; mother-in-law Louise “Momma Lou” Sweatt, brother-in- law Richard Sweatt (Sara), sisters-in-law Martha Banks (Euirl), Frances Sweatt.

He has many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins: Taylor Walker, Jorri Simmons, Kobe Simmons; Amber Morris, Adonis Morris, April Patterson, Tyler Patterson; Teana Simmons, Darius Simmons, Alexander Simmons, Mariana Simmons; India Lane, Jaylon Lane; Bobby Steed, Michael and Vicki Simmons; Harvey Hawkins and (Mildred) and family, and a host of other relatives and friends.