William H. Simmons Jr., 49, of Bradley, died Thursday, July 23, 2009, at Raleigh General Hospital following an extended illness. Born Feb. 11, 1960, at Beckley. He is survived by his mother, Mary Alice Simmons, Bradley; his sister Mary Beth Paletta and husband, Anthony, of Bridgeport; his brother, David C. Simmons and wife, Sandra, of Soak Creek; his nieces and nephews, Mary Virginia Paletta of Inwood; Jonathan C. Pyles of Pooler, Ga., A.J. Paletta Jr., of Bridgeport, Nathan J. Stevens of Culpeper, Va., Jacob Kelly of Soak Creek, and Jessie Kelly of Soak Creek; one great niece, Skylar Ann Pyles of Taylor, Texas; and his Aunt Karen Kruchek of Beckley. He was preceded in death by his father, William H. Simmons Sr. in 1997 and his sister, Patricia Ann McCommas in 2007. William was a 1978 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School and attended West Virginia University. He was an excellent athlete and a member of the Woodrow Wilson Hall of Fame and a member of the 1977 State Championship Football Team. He was an avid bowler before being struck with Multiple Sclerosis. He was president and long time member of the Fayette Hunting Club. He was a lifelong member of the Bradley Presbyterian Church, having served as an elder. William was a wonderful person with the patience of Job. His Christian witness will be sadly missed by all who knew him. William worked as an employee of the Appalachian Tire Company of Crab Orchard, and Brad Ragan Inc. of Nashville, Tenn. Friends may call at the Bradley Presbyterian Church from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2009 and the funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 27, 2009, at the church, with Pastor Elizabeth Stone officiating. Pallbearers are David Williams, Greg Stover, Gary Stover, David C. Simmons, Anthony J. Paletta, and A.J. Paletta Jr. Burial will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Gardens, Beckley. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Box 50, Memphis, TN, 38101,or the Bradley Presbyterian Memorial Fund, Box 291, Bradley, WV, 25818. Arrangements will be handled by the Rose and Quesenberry Funeral Home of Beckley.