In Memory
William Joseph "Bill" Simons, 69, peacefully passed away at his home on Tuesday, June 19, 2012, after courageously contending with pancreatic cancer. Bill was born in Vallejo on Dec. 26, 1942, the son of Erma and Robert (Bob) Simons.
He attended Soda Canyon Elementary School in Napa when it was a one-room schoolhouse, and then Napa's Redwood Middle School, Napa Junior and Senior High Schools and Napa Valley Junior College. Bill went on to graduate from San Francisco State University and immediately began teaching auto shop at Napa High School.
Bill married Carol Freeman in 1968. Bill and Carol first met on the school bus when they were 11, and met again when they bumped into one another after college in Napa. Bill continued working in the industrial arts departments at Napa and Vintage high schools for 35 years.
Bill was a shining example of how and what a man should be. A loving and devoted husband, father and family man, he was also a caring, sincere friend. A very generous and intelligent man, he had a big smile, big hands, a big heart, and, in many ways, was bigger-than-life.
He influenced and inspired generations of students with his enthusiasm. Bill was a lover of life and mastered many hobbies. He had insatiable passion for history, devouring books and documentaries about antique firearms, vintage cars and nautical and Napa history.
He took great pleasure throughout his life in building, restoring and driving vehicles. From several drag racing cars, beautiful street rods, classic boats and beyond, all were of an amazing quality and craftsmanship. His attention to detail was legendary. Bill also loved camping and the ocean, taking his family on RV vacations, and, most recently, driving his wife around in their diesel pusher. He will ever live in our hearts as a hero among men.
Bill, a fourth-generation Californian, is survived by his wife of nearly 44 years, Carol, and his three children, all of Napa. Robert; Anna Pope (Mark); and Leah Simons-White(Chris).
A celebration of Bill's life will be at Tulocay Chapel, 411 Coombsville Road, in Napa, on Saturday, June 23, 2012, at 11 a.m. Memories and words of sympathy may be made online at tulocaycemetery.org.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests your kind contribution be made to the Bill Simons Memorial Scholarship, c/o West America Bank, 1 Financial Plaza,Napa, CA. 94558
These cars were brought to Bill's funeral by all of his "car guy" friends.
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Philip "Phil" Teaderman
I met Bill when we started Napa Junior High and became good friends, We were a group of (4) Bill Simons, Dick Shelton, George Weitz and me. We shared having fun and being great friends over our lifetimes. I always remember Bill with that big smile and always being so positive about life. My heart goes out to Carol and his family and we send our love and support in this difficult time. A month ago I spoke to Bill. We had a great visit remembering all the fun times we shared. Rest in peace my friend.
Phil Teaderman
Arlie Lloyd
I have known Bill from the eigth grade at Napa High school. We went to Redwood the first year it opened in 1957. That is when we started playing football on the Knights. Bill was always a tough competitor, and we banged heads many times on the scrimage line until our last year of HS. We used go crusin' around in old "Six Pack", Bill's old green torpedo back 49 Chevy. We had allot of fun in that ole car crusing the Wright's Spot, A&W, Chicks burgers, and such. Bill, and John and Jim Gallager, and some of the other guys and I, had allot of fun back those days. Bill was always the gentleman in our group. We started a little club at Redwood, called the "Earth Angels". Not that we were perfect angels in those days. I knew Bill's bride Carol, since the second grade at Salvador. She was Bill's perfect match. Bill was a man among men. I only really had the privilage of growing up through High School with Bill, as our paths separated at graduation. But, I always had a warm spot in my heart for this great guy. It was always a joy to see each other once in awhile. He always had a warm greeting for me, when we would see each other from time to time. He always had a warm smile, and a big hand shake. He was there to offer comfort when several of my family members passed away. I will miss not seeing Bill from time to time. Bill left a trail of goodness in his wake, and I pray it will continue where he goes. Rest in peace my old friend.