William Redford (Billy) Simmons passed away on June 4, 2018, at the Mississippi State Veterans Home in Oxford. He was preceded in death by his parents Johnnie and Leo Simmons and a brother, Gerald Simmons.

Billy lived a wonderful life centered around family and his love for the outdoors. He especially loved raccoon and deer hunting. His grandchildren will always cherish the memories of hunting with their Granddaddy.

He is survived by a wife of 61 years, Ruth Coleman Simmons, and his son Johnny (JoAnn) Simmons and daughter Jan (Lee) Cauthen, all of Oxford, four grandchildren Ashley (Nick) Aiello of Atlanta, Bryan (Brianna) Simmons of Oxford, Gage Cauthen of Tupelo, and Sims Cauthen of Oxford. He had one great-grandchild, Greyson Simmons.

He was born Jan. 10, 1935 in Pontotoc County. He served his country in the U.S. Army and then moved to Clarksdale where he retired from Cooper Tire & Rubber Company to fully enjoy hunting, fishing and maintaining his family farm.

Graveside services will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. at the family cemetery, Bramlett Cemetery in Randolph, Miss. Tutor Memorial Funeral Home of Pontotoc is in charge of arrangements.