Bill Simmons passed away

Pat Coyne · Post by **Pat Coyne** » 12 Apr 2009 6:22 pm

Bill passed away at 8:30 tonight...sorry, i don't have any words to express my many feelings. Details will come in the next few days...i know he would want us to take care of his family and carry on his legacy.

Al Miller · Post by **Al Miller** » 12 Apr 2009 6:56 pm

My goodness!!! I dont know what to say.
i just spoke to bill and hugged his neck at the dallas show. Mine and lisa's heart is heavy tonight. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family
and friends in this trying time . he is surely with Our lord along with John and Tom and so many others
that have made thier way To that Huge Steel meeting
in heaven.. we love you Bill! Godspeed my friend.
"Rest In Piece"
Boo Miller & Lisa Layne
Thanks pat for your concern and updates.
please tell Bills Family we are thinking of them.

Bryan Knox · Post by **Bryan Knox** » 12 Apr 2009 7:19 pm

He was a good man.

He was a godly man.

He loved his wife, family and many friends.

He was talented beyond imagination.

Tonight, my heart is broken and the steel guitar community has one less hero among us.

God bless this precious family.

See you on the other side, my friend.

Jody Sanders · Post by **Jody Sanders** » 12 Apr 2009 8:00 pm

Rest in Peace, Bill. May GOD bless, comfort, and keep his family always. Jody.

Fred Justice · Post by **Fred Justice** » 12 Apr 2009 8:01 pm

May God rest Bill's soul. Bill was one of the kindest warmest men I have ever known. I will miss you Bill.

Skip Cole · Post by **Skip Cole** » 12 Apr 2009 8:17 pm

My condolences to Bill's family and friends, may God comfort you all in your sorrow. I never met him but did some trading with him a few weeks ago.

Skip

Danny Crelin · Post by **Danny Crelin** » 12 Apr 2009 11:11 pm

So Sorry........... Goodbye my Friend

Gary, Corky, James, Danny
Rains

Paul Polish · Post by **Paul Polish** » 13 Apr 2009 2:14 am

We are so sorry to here this sad news. May God bless Bill's soul and his family.
Rest in peace my friend.
Paul and Dee

Bill Cook · Post by **Bill Cook** » 13 Apr 2009 3:11 am

I loved this man more than my own family!!!God sent Bill to carry out his work and called him home on Easter Sunday. Words cannot describe how this man was always helping others, praying for them and offering words of encourgement. He was such a good Godly man. The ASGA will help his family all we can. I am too weak to say anymore. The last couple of weeks have been devastated to me. God please give me the strength to hold up and help Bill's Family.
Bill Cook

Tim Bridges · Post by **Tim Bridges** » 13 Apr 2009 3:36 am

When Bill Cook called about Bill's emergency on 04/02/09, my heart sank. Bill has been one of my best friends for 5 years. I admired and looked up to him in so many ways. Particularly, in the Christlike manner in which he treated everyone. Never, did Bill cut anyone short; never. He was always full of encouragement and found the good in anyone he met. I don't think there was a name he forgot (unless for just a second, or two).

The out poor of love and support for Bill's family has been wonderful. I guess when my time comes, a measurement of my life will be all of those I had a positive influence on. Well, Bill Simmons act will be impossible to follow. What a GREAT human being, a great loss and heavens gain.

I'll miss you my brother and may God give peace and comfort to all your friends and family. Your smile will always be in my minds eye. Until we meet again...

Ray Walker · Post by **Ray Walker** » 13 Apr 2009 4:45 am

Our condolences to Bill's family. He was dearly loved and will be missed greatly.

Ray and Debbie Walker

Junior Knight · Post by **Junior Knight** » 13 Apr 2009 4:53 am

May the good Lord be with the family. He was such a great person and player..

Ron Elliott · Post by **Ron Elliott** » 13 Apr 2009 4:57 am

We are so sorry to hear of this, Bill was a good man.
Leslie worked with Bill at Sho-Bud years ago. Our thoughts and Prayers are with the family. Bill will certainly be missed by us all. Rest in Peace Bill.
Ron & Leslie

Jerry Lee Newberry · Post by **Jerry Lee Newberry** » 13 Apr 2009 4:57 am

I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I just knew him for the shows, but he always had a smile on his face and was so kind. I know he will be missed by so many people. God be with his Family.

Donna

Fred Shannon · Post by **Fred Shannon** » 13 Apr 2009 5:18 am

This one's a little harder than most to handle. Bill was a good friend of mine and has been for many years. Guess the Good Lord needed a third to fill in the choir. Our condolences and sympathy to the family. This guy will be missed in our community for a long time to come.

Phred

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 13 Apr 2009 5:31 am

So very sad for those who remain in the world, yet joyfull for Bill as he is embraced by our Creator and welcomed into heaven.

Bill was at my house several years ago and since that time I have been very happy to call him friend. My wife and I extend our love and prayers to the family.
Steve and Jo Stallings

Henry Matthews · Post by **Henry Matthews** » 13 Apr 2009 5:38 am

This is so sad indeed. Bill was a fine person, always smiling and always complimentary to others. He was also such a very talented player and had the best right hand technique I've ever seen. Bill will be missed by all. Rest in peace Bill.

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 13 Apr 2009 5:39 am

Once again I get a terrible reminder of why I disdain so much coming on to "Gone Home."

Bill was a great man, and a good pal. Always liked to see him at the shows.

Another sad, sad day, one of far too many I've experienced lately.

Roger Crawford · Post by **Roger Crawford** » 13 Apr 2009 5:49 am

Our prayers go out to Bill's family for God's peace and comfort. Bill was such a warm and caring man, the likes of which are too few and far between.

Albert Svenddal · Post by **Albert Svenddal** » 13 Apr 2009 6:38 am

Pat, I am saddened by the news. Bill was a great player and a good friend. My prayers are with his family. Albert

Russ Tkac · Post by **Russ Tkac** » 13 Apr 2009 6:52 am

I'm so sorry to hear of Bills passing. I received a few email's in the past from Bill and always found him to be a helpful and kind man. My sympathy to his family.

Russ

Joe Savage · Post by **Joe Savage** » 13 Apr 2009 7:19 am

I'm so saddened to hear this. We worked together briefly on a Christmas show in Minnesota. I played harmonica, Bill played steel. The first time I met him was at a steel show in Minneapolis. After I did my set, he told me he was "very encouraged" by my playing.
I'll never forget that and recall it at times when I'm feeling low. Bill's words have "encouraged" me many times.
Rest in Peace Bill.
My deepest sympathy to all of Bill's family.
Joe Savage

John Hawkins · Post by **John Hawkins** » 13 Apr 2009 7:20 am

I am so very sorry that we lost Bill on Sunday . He was a fine person!

I send heart felt condolences to his family .

May he rest in peace !

Roy Rosetta · Post by **Roy Rosetta** » 13 Apr 2009 7:51 am

This is a sad day for Barbara and me. Bill was a wonderful dear friend and more so a man of God. He will be missed but he is now in the house of The Lord. Our condolences go out to his loving family.
Rest in peace dear friend,
...Roy and Barbara

Laney Hicks · Post by **Laney Hicks** » 13 Apr 2009 7:59 am

It was obvious that Bill loved music almost more than anything; he made it such an important part of his Life; even learned to play his favorite instrument, the pedal steel guitar, with an accuracy and finesse that very nearly matched some of his own "heroes". I'll always remember that about our good friend, Bill Simmons.
But that little piece of who he was on this earth will pale in my memory compared to the MAN that Russ and I knew him to be. He was not only one of the greatest encouragers we ever met, who genuinely and openly loved all people, but he sacrificed his own time and resources toward helping others grow and build their businesses and ministries. Helping people to experience a more fulfilling and prosperous Life doing what they naturally love to do was Bill's true mission in this world. He did that cheerfully, tirelessly, and selflessly, and in the name of Jesus, he embodied the Lovingkindness of the very Spirit of God. (I don't say that about Bill to make him sound like a Saint, although that is precisely what he is.....simply, a man who earnestly gave his heart to the Lord, and actually left it there, to be molded and used to do Good in the world.)
Bill's Talent was clearly found in his ability to play the music he loved very well; but, his Gift was to be invested sincerely in the lives of others.

What a blessing for us to have known him.

The Steel Guitar Forum

Bill Simmons passed away

Bill Simmons passed away

Bill

Bill Simmons

April 13,2009

Bill Simmons