Hally "Butch" Simmons

July 7, 1937 - December 3, 2014

Hally L. "Butch" Simmons, 77, of Fremont died Wednesday, December 3, 2014 at his home in Fremont. He was born Wednesday, July 7, 1937 in Fairfield the son of James Henry and Ina Mae Myers Simmons. He graduated from the Fairfield High School with the class of 1955. Following school Butch joined the Army National Guard. He also worked at Cable Lumber in Fairfield for several years. In 1959, Butch was united in marriage to Joyce Winters and they later divorced. In 1964, Butch moved to Seattle, Washington and worked for Boeing until moving back to Fairfield in 1969. He then worked at Eclipse Lumber in Fairfield until moving back to Seattle in 1975 and drove truck for Atlas Van Lines. He later went to work for a lumber company in Seattle. In 1979 he moved back to Fairfield and worked in the core room of the foundry at Dexter in Fairfield until an injury in 1981. In 1982, Butch married Ruth Smith in Fairfield and she died September 22, 2008. Butch worked at Standard Lumber in Fairfield in 1982 until going to work for Clow Valve in Oskaloosa where he worked until his retirement in 1996. Butch loved woodworking and built most of the furniture and cabinets in his home and built numerous pieces of furniture for his family. He loved to travel and was known for taking day long joy rides. He had traveled to 49 of the 50 states. Butch loved to tell stories and giving people a hard time. He especially cherished the time he spent with his family. His family includes his son: Robert Simmons of East Moline, Illinois; two daughters: Christina (& Mike) Davison of Batavia and Regina (& Dan) Strickler of Seymour; two stepdaughters: Linda (& Dave) Wilson of North Carolina and Janice Price of Ottumwa; a stepson: Ron Canaday of Packwood; five grandsons; and a great granddaughter. He was preceded in death by his wife: Ruth Simmons; his parents; a brother: James Simmons; and three sisters: Beatrice Randall, Frances Phillips and Marguerite Burns. As was his wish, Butch's body has been cremated and no visitation is planned. A graveside service will be held Monday, December 8, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. in the Cedar Township Cemetery with Reverend Otto Hayes officiating. Memorials may be made to the Fremont First Responders or to Red Cross.