William G. SIMONS, 69, of Friendship, NY, died on Thursday, June 11, 2026 in his son’s home in West Valley, surrounded by his loving family.
Born October 22, 1956, in Elmira, he was the son of Glenn E. and Reva R. Warner Simons. On October 12, 1979, in Friendship, he married Wilma Dunn, who survives.
Raised in Belvidere, Bill was a 1974 graduate of Belmont High School. He entered the workforce starting at Friendship Foundry until they learned he was 17. His employment continued with Budinger’s Wrecking, Warner Farm, Cline’s Tent Rental, and lastly Friendship Dairies, retiring in 1997 due to disability.
He was a member of the Scio Rod & Gun Club, served on the board of Mt. Hope Cemetery in Friendship, and was a life member of the Case Collectors Club in Bradford, PA. Bill enjoyed hunting, riding his side by side, mowing his lawn, and spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, and uncle to all.
Surviving besides his wife, Wilma, are: three sons, Michael Glenn (Danielle) Simons of Friendship, John Michael (Kyle Hill) Simons of West Valley, and Matthew William (Abigail) Simons of Freedom; seven grandchildren, Kyle James (Sarah) Simons, Dominique Alfonso Simons, Alexis Rose Simons, Brett Earl Simons, Abigail Lynn Simons, Finley Katherine Simons, and Izzabella Rose Simons; siblings, Garald E. Murray of Scio, Sharee Budinger of Friendship, Donna (Alex) Haw of Texas, Judy Drake Demaria of Texas, Donald (Sony) Drake of Manhattan, KS, and Christina (Stuart) Diggs of Texas; nieces and nephews; special aunts and uncles, Molly Warner, Dorothy and Arnie Kerner; and special family friends, Thomas and Dakota Cobado and Stephen Ames. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a son, Jason William Simons; two brothers, Elroy Drake and Jimmy Drake; a sister, Mary Jo McLaughlin; and his biological mother and stepfather, Waneta Brimmer and Eugene Drake.
A gathering to celebrate Bill’s life will be held Sunday, June 21, 2026 at the Friendship Bingo Hall, 6 East Main Street, Friendship, starting at 1:00 PM.
Memorials may be made to Allegany County Cancer Services, P.O. Box 534, Wellsville, NY 14895, Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org, or the Kids and Cancer Benefit Run, Bradford, PA at www.kidsandcancerbenefitrun.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Olney-Foust & Embser Funeral Homes & Cremation, 34 West State Street, Wellsville, NY.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.wellsvillefuneralhome.com.
