Obituary of William M. Simmons

William "Bill" M. Simmons, age 70, of Lakeview Street, Thompson, CT, passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday, July 18, 2009, after a courageous battle with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia. Bill was the very beloved husband of Ruth Simmons for 15 years. He was the eldest of three sons born to William B. and Angela (Ordorica) Simmons both of whom predeceased him in July 2003 and March 2008 respectively. Bill was predeceased by his brother, James E. Simmons and James's beloved wife, Barbara. Bill is survived by his brother Edward J. Simmons and his wife Georgina of Mexico City, Mexico; three sons, Roy J. Simmons of Putnam, CT, and his wife, Kimberley, William A. Simmons of Ballouville, CT, and Robert J. Simmons of Roanoke, TX; three stepchildren, Roxanne Rhault of Mystic, CT, Ronald Rhault and his wife, Erin of Killingly, CT, and Valarie (Rhault) Haggerty and her husband, Tim of Millville, MA. Bill leaves his beloved Aunt Esther Schibilia of Hackettstown, NJ and also leaves seven grandchildren, many nieces and nephews, cousins, and countless friends. Bill was born in New Brunswick, NJ on July 1, 1939 and resided in Putnam, CT for the majority of his life. He graduated from Putnam High School in June 1957 and attended Harvard H. Ellis Technical School, graduating from the Aviation Maintenance Program in June 1960. He enlisted in the United States Army Reserve on September 1961 and served on active duty until September 1964. He spent the majority of his Army tour assigned to the U.S. Army 334th Transportation Detachment (CHFM) in Fort Richardson, Alaska. Bill was Honorably Discharged from the Army Reserve on 1 August 1967. In 1964, after completing his Army active duty tour, Bill was employed by Trans World Airlines (TWA), at Kennedy International Airport, as a line-mechanic. Following a short, three-year stint with TWA, Bill accepted a teaching position at Harvard H. Ellis Technical School, working side-by-side with his Father Bill teaching in the school's Aeronautics Department. He eventually succeeded his Father as the Aviation Maintenance Program Department Head and retired after 28 years of teaching on July 1, 1994. Following his teaching career, Bill started and was President and CEO of New England Aero Services, Inc., based at the Danielson, CT, Airport until January 2009. Throughout his career in aviation, Bill achieved numerous certifications and licenses, including his pilot's license. He was the recipient of the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) General Aviation Maintenance Technician of the Year Award in 2003 and 2004, the FAA Good Friend Award in October 2006, and the FAA Distinguished Mechanic Examiner Award in March 2007. Bill was a dedicated and proactive public servant and was heavily involved in the Putnam, CT political scene for nearly 19 years. Known as the "voice of fiscal conservatism," he served on several committees and in numerous capacities, most notably as a member of the Putnam Board of Selectmen. Bill was born to fly and his true passion was flying and restoring vintage airplanes. He was a member of the International Aviation Fraternal Organization, Quiet Birdmen. He was an air show performer with Warplanes International, and a member of both the Experimental Aircraft Association and War Birds of America. Bill and Ruth enjoyed traveling and did so often. As a couple, and very often with friends, they managed to travel to nearly all of the United States, including Alaska which was one of Bill's favorite places on Earth. They also traveled throughout the world, "stepping foot" on all seven continents. Bill was a man of many passions, talents, and hobbies. In addition to flying and world travel, Bill loved hosting get-togethers for family and friends at his lakefront home and did so often. He enjoyed working on automobiles and in the late 1950's he was a founding member of the "Hot Sparks" Car Club in Putnam, CT. He was an avid NASCAR and Indy Car enthusiast and enjoyed scuba diving, snow and water skiing, motorcycle riding, boating, and snowmobiling. In Bill's own words, "I don't want to leave any stones unturned when I die." As both his family and friends can attest, he most assuredly accomplished this goal! Bill's funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, July 24, 2009 at the Putnam United Methodist Church, 51 Grove Street, Putnam, followed by burial with Military Honors at the Grove Street Cemetery, Putnam, CT. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's memory to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445-7226 (Attn: Contribution Services), Day Kimball Oncology Department or Hospice of NE CT, both at PO Box 632, Putnam, CT 06260. Arrangements by Smith and Walker Funeral Home, 148 Grove Street, Putnam. To share a memory with his family "Light a Candle" at www.smithandwalkerfh.com