William Wallace Simmons

Was born in Collin County, Texas, on May 22, 1883. Was educated in the public schools and is a graduate of Grayson College and North Texas State Teachers College. He also studied at Baylor University and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary at Louisville, Kentucky.

A Baptist Minister, he held Pastorates in Collin, Hunt, Lamar and Grayson Counties. He has also edited weekly newspapers at Celina, Lone Oak, Gunter, Ladonia and White Dear.

He was married on September 14, 1904, to Miss Ethel Davis of Aubrey, Texas. They are the parents of five children: Mrs. Mary Ellen Powers, W.W. Simmons, Jr., Mrs. Ethel Bentley, H.C. Simmons and Mrs. Francis Ann McKee. He is a member of the First Baptist Church of Pampa.

Raised a Master Mason in Celina Lodge No. 919, A.F. & A.M., on August 6, 1914. Later affiliated with White Dear Lodge No. 1188, A.F. & A.M. Is a Past Master of White Dear Lodge and a dual member of Pampa Lodge No. 966, A.F. & A.M. Is Secretary-Recorder of all the York Rite Bodies at Pampa.

Exalted in Celina Chapter No. 345, R.A.M. on January 7, 1915. Later affiliated with Pampa Chapter No. 443, R.A.M. Was High Priest of Pampa Chapter.

Greeted in Celina Council no. 282, R.&S.M. Later affiliated with Pampa Council No. 361, R.&S.M. A Past Thrice Illustrious Master of Pampa Council. Was elected Illustrious Grand Principal Conductor of the Work in 1954. Served as Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Texas in 1956-57.

Created in Indivisible Friends Commandery No. 13, K.T., Sherman. Affiliated with Pampa Commandery No. 97, K.T. He is Past Commander of Pampa Commandery.

Past Prior of Texas Priory No. 23, K.Y.C.H.

Past Preceptor of Ascension Tabernacle No. 20, H.R.A.K.T.P., Amarillo.

He has received the degrees of the Order of High Priesthood and the Order of Silver Trowel.

32 degree Scottish Rite Mason, member of the Dallas Bodies.

Member of Khiva Shrine Temple of Amarillo.

Past Patron of White Dear Chapter O.E.S.

Obituary

Died in Pampa, TX