MSgt Willie Thomas Simmons

Master Sergeant William “Bill” Simmons was born in Anderson County, South Carolina in January 1930. When he was just 16 years old when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps in January 1946. As a youngster, Bill played hooky from school to watch Army convoys that passed through his hometown. He was quite impressed by what he saw. Bill was further influenced by his Uncle Brooks who served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. When Uncle Brooks was home on leave from the military in 1942, Bill tried on his Army Air Corps uniform. That did it and he couldn’t wait to join the military. Upon enlisting in the Army Air Corps, Bill completed Basic Military Training Course at Sheppard Field, Wichita Falls, Texas. Bill served primarily in the Postal Service Career Field at various locations in the United States and overseas. He served at Fairfield-Susan Air Base (later Travis Air Force Base), Fairfield, California; MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa, Florida; Davis Air Base, Adak, Aleutian Islands; Shaw Air Force Base, Sumter, South Carolina; Brooks Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas; Kirkland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico; Elmendorf Air Force Base, Anchorage, Alaska; Amarillo Air Force Base, Amarillo, Texas; Eielson Air Force Base, near Fairbanks, Alaska; McGuire Air Force Base, Wrightstown, New Jersey; Kunsan Air Base, Kunsan, Korea; and Scott Air Force Base, Belleville, Illinois. During his twenty years of exemplary military service, Bill received many letters of appreciation and awards in recognition for outstanding performance and achievements over and above his normal duties and responsibilities. Among his military decorations are the World War II Victory Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal that he earned for outstanding job performance while assigned to Headquarters Eastern Transport Air Force, McGuire Air Force Base, Wrightstown, New Jersey. He retired from the United States Air Force with the rank of Master Sergeant on March 31, 1966. Returning to private life, Bill held several positions in the banking and financial services industries. He was a Loan Officer with United Postal Savings & Loan, Kirkwood, Missouri; a Loan Officer with South Carolina National Bank in Greenville and Anderson, South Carolina; Southern Bank & Trust in Greenville and Anderson, South Carolina. In 1982, he relocated to Chicago, Illinois and became a Servicing Representative for Freddie Mac. He served as Branch Manager, Mortgage Associates, South Bend, Indiana and later, moved the office to Indianapolis, Indiana. Afterwards, he became Servicing Manager for the Army Finance Center Federal Credit Union. In 1992, he retired again and returned to his native South Carolina. Throughout his life, Bill was active in veteran organizations and community activities. He was the first Vice President of Finance for the World War II Round Table of America, an organization that he helped to form in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was a member of the St. Clair Volunteer Fire Department, St. Clair, Missouri. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Valley Mount Saddle Club, Valley Park, Missouri. He was President of Piedmont Saddle Club, Piedmont, South Carolina; Vice President of the Carolina Horse Show Association, Greenville, South Carolina; and Treasurer for Abbeville Saddle Club, Abbeville, SC. Bill was also a member of the Philippino-American Association of Greater Columbia. He served on the Executive Board and in 1999 was elected Second Vice President. Bill is a lifetime member of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (TAI). He served as the Indianapolis Chapter President, TAI, for several years. He was a member of the Atlanta TAI Chapter and the Hiram Mann TAI Chapter in Walterboro, South Carolina, before a chapter was established in Columbia. He was instrumental in the planning, organizing, and establishing the Spann Watson Chapter, TAI (SWCTAI) in Columbia, South Carolina. He was a charter member and past president of the chapter. Under his leadership, membership in the chapter increased significantly and close relationships were developed with veteran organizations and other military-related organizations. To his credit, five local area high school seniors received $1,500.00 scholarships from TAI National Scholarship Foundation and one local student received the coveted $20,000.00 Pratt & Whitney 4-year award to study engineering. Bill is a lifetime member of the 9th and 10th Horse Calvary “Buffalo Soldiers”. In addition, he is a member of Celebrate Freedom Foundation, Inc., and a member of the Retired Enlisted Association. Over the years, Bill has devoted many hours visiting and making speeches at schools, military bases, the Challenger Learning Center, and business, social, civic, and religious organizations, encouraging young people to stay in school, set goals and strive to achieve them just as the Tuskegee Airmen did. He has received numerous awards for his outstanding community service, leadership, and dedication to the youth and military veterans. Bill’s hobbies included horses and photography. Master Sergeant departed this life passed on Thursday, June 13, 2019 at the White Oaks Nursing Home in Columbia, South Carolina. He leaves behind his wife, the former Gemma P. Makahiya, a native of Isabella, Philippines. They resided in Columbia, SC. A visitation for MSgt Simmons will be held on the evening of Thursday, June 20th from 5 until 7 o’clock, at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext., Columbia, SC 29223. A graveside service with Air Force Honors, will be held at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Road, Columbia, SC 29229, on the afternoon of Friday, June 21st at 2 o’clock with Chaplain (Colonel) Michael D. Wilson, US Army Reserves (Ret.).

Tributes

MSgt Willie Thomas Simmons

January 15, 1930 - June 14, 2019