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Willard C. Simmons, LtCol, US Army (ret), 95, a resident of Rio Rancho, NM for the past 11 years, passed away March 3, 2011. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, June Simmons; children, Bruce W. Simmons and wife Danise, Barry A. Simmons and wife Sally, Carol A. Simmons and husband Lee Williams; brother, Wallace Simmons; grandchildren, Sarah Page and husband Adam, Marshall Simmons and wife Jessica, Logan Simmons; great-granddaughter, Hosanna Beth Page; several nieces, one nephew and numerous cousins. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Melvyn Miller Simmons, and by a granddaughter, Carrie Simmons. Born June 15, 1915 in McKinney, TX and raised in Oklahoma, Willard graduated from Chickasha High School and worked as a railway mail clerk. At the beginning of World War II, he joined the army and graduated from Officer Candidate School. His military career was highlighted by serving in Patton's army, acting as a courier for the Manhattan Project, running the post office on Okinawa after the war, serving in Korea, and assisting with plans during the Cuban missile crisis before retiring as a Lt. Colonel. His numerous military stations included the Philippines, Japan and Puerto Rico. After leaving the Army, Willard worked for the Social Security Administration as a Systems Analyst from 1962-1980. He was recently interviewed for the Veterans History Project by a representative of the Library of Congress. During his later life he earned a reputation as an expert blackjack player at the local casinos. A member of MENSA, he was also a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 am, Wednesday, March 16, 2011, at the Daniels Family Funeral Services, Sara Road Chapel, 4310 Sara Road SE and Meadowlark Lane, Rio Rancho, NM. Interment will follow at Santa Fe National Cemetery, Santa Fe, NM. To view funeral information or to leave condolences please visit: www.danielsfuneral.com. Willard's care has been entrusted to: Daniels Family Funeral Services Sara Road Chapel 4310 Sara Road SE Rio Rancho, New Mexico 87124 505-892-9920
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