William "Bill" Simmer Jr.

Services for William "Bill" Simmer Jr. were held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 29, 2019 at Hastings Funeral Home in Perry. Visitation was after 1:00 p.m. Monday with family present from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Deacon David Schmidt of St. Theresa Catholic Church in Des Moines provided words of comfort. Chuck Schott was the musician. Hymns selected were: How Great Thou Art, Amazing Grace and On Eagles Wings. Honorary bearers were Jeff Fessler, G.A. Brooks and Bill Mueller. Casket bearers were Larry Hill, Rod Neuhalfen, Richard Fessler, Steve Spauldin, Tom McCann and Denny Meinecke. Interment took place at Violet Hill Cemetery in Perry. Following the services at the cemetery was a luncheon in the Hastings Funeral Home Lounge. William "Bill" Francis Simmer Jr., son of William Francis Simmer Sr. and Gertrude Mary Garland Simmer, was born June 20, 1937 in Perry, Iowa and died October 24, 2019 at the Mercy Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa at the age of 82. Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1954 and was honorably discharged in 1958. His first job was a supply clerk at Gambles Store. On May 9, 1959 Bill and Velma Lee Bass were united in marriage. The couple was blessed with three sons Greg, Kurt and Scott. Bill started working for the city of Perry in 1958 and became the Director of Public Works until he retired in 1997 after 39 years, 8 months and 22 days! He was an avid golfer and played softball in Perry in his earlier years. Bill was a member of the Perry Country Club and St Patrick Catholic Church. He had also enjoyed memberships at the American Legion and The Elks. Bill was known and liked by many people around town. He lived in the same house for the past 52 years with his wife. Bill was a coffee enthusiast and you might have seen him at Ampride or at Hy-Vee in the mornings. Bill and Velma loved to travel around. They enjoyed going to the casinos and KFC in Boone until they closed. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sons Greg and Kurt, granddaughter Molly Kaylee, brother Donald and sisters Honey, Babe, Bang and Mae. Bill is survived by his wife of 60 years Velma; son Scott and his wife Barbara of Smithville, MO; four grandchildren: Aaron Simmer, Theresa Hanson, Kristie Williams and Trey Ogden; five great-grandchildren: Chloe 14, Camden 11, Abigail 9, Harper 8 and Hudson 5; two sisters: Doris Fessler and Donna Kadolph both of Perry, IA; sister-in-law Hellen Denny; brother-in-law Carroll Bass; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Memorials may be sent to Box #204 in Bill's name. Cemetery Details Violet Hill 8th and Park Street Perry, IA 50220 Previous Events Visitation OCT 28. 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CT) Hastings Funeral Home - Perry 1417 Second Street Perry, IA 50220 (515) 465-4691 hastings@minburncomm.net Family hours 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. OCT 28 (CT) Hastings Funeral Home - Perry 1417 Second Street Perry, IA 50220 (515) 465-4691 hastings@minburncomm.net Funeral Service OCT 29. 10:00 AM (CT) Hastings Funeral Home - Perry 1417 Second Street Perry, IA 50220 (515) 465-4691 hastings@minburncomm.net