Harrison Wayne Simmons, 76, of Roanoke, Virginia, died Thursday, March 29, 2018.
He was born January 29, 1942 on Bens Run, in Covington, the son of the late Walter and Annie Tucker Simmons.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Emily H. Simmons; two brothers, Elmer B. Simmons and Homer "Ted" Simmons and a sister, Patty Watts.
Wayne attend Boiling Spring High School in Alleghany County before moving to Roanoke in 1958 and attended Andrew Lewis High School in Salem. He received his GED in 1979. Before moving to Roanoke he was a member of Lone Star Baptist Church on Potts Creek.
Mr. Simmons served in the Navy, Navy Reserves and Inactive Reserves from 1960-1966. Sergeant Simmons joined the Virginia National Guard in 1966 and was honorably discharged from the Army National Guard of Virginia and transferred to U. S. Army Retired Reserves in 1989 as Staff Sergeant.
He retired from Chesterfield County in 1999 from the Utility Department. Mr. Simmons was a member of the American Legion Post 80, Vinton, VA.
Survivors include his sons, Donnie Simmons and his wife, Penny and William "Buster" Simmons; his daughters, Debi Firebaugh and her husband, Steve, all of Roanoke and Lisa Burnette and her husband, Jeff of Lynchburg; 15 grandchildren; nine great grandchildren; his twin sister, Ruby S. Musselman of Raleigh, NC; sister, Geraldine S. Hamilton of Cary, NC and several nieces and nephews.
A graveside service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, April 2, 2018 in Lone Star Cemetery with the Rev. Herbert Shaffer officiating.
The family will receive their friends at the Arritt Funeral Home Monday from 1:00 p.m. until time to leave to go to the cemetery.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made in Mr. Simmons' name to the American Legion Post 80: Dogwood Post 80, P. O. Box 114, Vinton, VA 24179. These donations will help the veterans at the VA Hospital and the Virginia Care Center in Salem, where Mr. Simmons volunteered many hours to the veterans.
Special thanks to the VA Medical Center Palliative Care Unit and Gentle Shepard Hospice.
The Arritt Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
