Dr. Lewis Bill Simmons, 84, of Chesapeake, Va., passed away July 23, 2009. He was born in Albemarle, N.C., the son of the late John Carl and Callie B. Simmons and also predeceased by his wife, Helen Ramelle Troutman Simmons. He was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served three years during World War II on the USS Santee. Dr. Simmons has been featured in two World War II documentaries by British BBC and German Broadcasting Network shown on the History Channel and A&E. He was a graduate of Elon College and later went on to get his Doctor of Divinity in 1957 from Duke Divinity School.
Dr. Simmons served as reverend for Great Bridge United Christian Church for five years and served as Associate Conference Minister for the Southern Conference UCC until his retirement in 1987. He served on numerous convention, conference, and association boards and committees.
Dr. Simmons is survived by his daughter, Dr. Sara Ann Simmons, of Cincinnati, Ohio; sons and daughters-in-law, R. Joe Simmons and Janet L. Simmons, of Suffolk, Va., Jackie C. Simmons and Mary Margaret Simmons, of Moyock, N.C.; grandchildren, Joseph, Julie, Robert, Mary Ann, Melissa, Caroline and Sara.
A funeral service will be held Sunday, July 26, 2009 at 3 p.m. at Liberty Spring Christian Church with the Rev. Dolan Talbert, the Rev. Allen Lancaster and the Rev. Joe Newman officiating. Friends may join the family before the service from 1 to 3 p.m. for a time of visitation at the church. Burial will follow the service in the church cemetery. Parr Funeral Home & Crematory is serving the family. Condolences may be registered online at www.parrfuneralhome.com.