William "Willie" Francis Simms, Sr. (Age 103) of LaPlata, Maryland.

William Francis Simms, Sr. was called into eternal rest on March 16, 2025, surrounded by family at Charles Regional Medical Center in LaPlata, MD.

Born June 22, 1921 to the late John Issac and Kate Minor Simms. He was one of twelve children from this union.  Willie, as he was so affectionately known was a devout Christian and big on family.  He was raised in Charles County, attending a one room schoolhouse in Bel Alton.  At an early age, he joined the Navy.

In July 1952, he married his one true love, Bernice Elizabeth Thomas, from that union came William, Jr., Kenneth, Sheila and Phyllis.

A carpenter by trade, Willie mastered numerous other skills, "Jack of all trades, Master of them all!" Always displaying a positive attitude while entertaining anyone present with his storytelling, funny remarks and jokes, Willie ensured everyone around him was taken care of to the best of his ability. He retired from Carpenter Union Local 2 in 1984. Willie was also a lifetime member of American Legion Post 170 in Indian Head, Maryland.

Willie loved to travel with his dear wife, he drove until age 98. An avid family man, he enjoyed family gatherings, playing cards, oyster boils and storytelling, His love for fishing, wrestling and football kept him mobile and alert.  If you didn't know his true age, you could never guess it.

Aside from his parents, Willie was preceded in death by his sisters, Sarah Rebecca Queen, Agnes Davis, Mary Gray, Catherine and Mary Simms; brothers, Clarence, John Issac, Jr., Joseph, Jerome, Edward and Perry; his son, William Francis, Jr., and grandchildren, Antwon Terrell Chisley, Charlita Robinson and David Leroy Locks, Jr.

Willie leaves to cherish fond memories the love of his life, wife Bernice; children Kenneth Leon Sr., Sheila Ann and Phyllis Theresa Simms, daughters-in-law Gloria and Connie; nine grandchildren, William Anthony Chase, Sharnita, Brad, William F. III, Christina, Kenneth Jr., Charles Richardson Jr., John Stepvon Wade and Lorenzo; twenty great grandchildren, Paris, Ty, Shaniya, Poett, Juley, William Jr., Xavier, Nadia, Lola, Danisha, Daeqwan, Danae, Ahriel, Janiaya, Zyaire, Dylan, Amari, Makenna, Kainen and Kai; one great, great grandchild, Nasir; one sister-in-law, Eleanor Simms; Rebecca Gomes, Philomena Queen and Theodore Queen; and host of other family and friends.

Viewing, Friday, April 11, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Thornton Funeral Home, P.A., 3439 Livingston Road, Indian Head, Maryland 20640 and on Saturday, April 12, 2025 from 11:00 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 201 St. Mary's Avenue, La Plata, Maryland 20646. Mass of Christian Burial, 12:00 noon. Interment, Church Cemetery.