Billy Simmons

Dr. Billy E. Simmons, 85 of Long Beach, MS went home to be with his Heavenly Father on January 11, 2017 at Gulfport Memorial Hospital, Gulfport, Mississippi.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Reverend James E. and Frances Hamilton Simmons, and his sister, Vivian Simmons Glass.
Dr. Simmons is survived by the love of his life, his wife of sixty-one years, Florene Abernathy Simmons, his son, Billy Craig Simmons, Long Beach, MS, his daughter, Charissa S. Mallonee, grandsons Collin and Connor Mallonee, Wichita Falls, TX, his sister, Kathleen Simmons Sullivan, Tucson, AZ, sister-in-law, Frances Cross and daughter Julianne and son Joey, nieces, Susan Jacques, Kathryn Sullivan Kruger and nephew, Tommy Sullivan. Surviving also are special friends he considered his "other children", Steve, Jane, and children Robert (Jess), Andrew, and John Wilson of Brandon, MS.
Dr. Simmons was born in Leesville, LA on September 23, 1931. He grew up in Natchitoches, LA and attended schools there. He graduated high school in 1948, after which he enrolled in Northwestern University. He served his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force from 1951-1954. It was during that time that he answered God's call to preach the gospel. He received his BA degree, with special honors, from Mississippi College in 1956. He subsequently entered the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and earned a Bachelor of Divinity Degree in 1959 and a Doctor of Theology Degree in 1962. He has pastored churches in Mississippi and Texas. After his retirement he was pastor at Broadmoor Baptist Church in Gulfport, MS and later joined First Baptist Church, Long Beach, MS.
In 1968, Dr. Simmons joined the faculty of East Texas Baptist University in Marshall, TX where he became Chairman of the Department of Religion. In 1976, he became a professor at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, teaching New Testament and Greek. He was chairman of the Biblical Division for a time. Dr. Simmons enjoyed a lifetime of service for his Lord and Savior. He has written five books, A Functioning Faith, Resplendent Themes, Galatians, The Incomparable Christ and Be Born in Us Today. In addition, he has written numerous articles for the Bible Illustrator, Proclaim, Quarterly Review and Sunday School Adult Teachers' Manuals for the Baptist Sunday School Board.
Among his many accolades, Dr. Simmons was selected as one of 1972's Outstanding Educators of America and was honored as the 2015 Distinguished Alumnus of the year for the Department of Christian Studies and Philosophy at Mississippi College. He served in 1988 as a guest lecturer for six months at the International Baptist Theological Seminary in Limuru, Kenya, and Arusha, Tanzania, East Africa and at the Canadian Baptist Seminary near Calgary, Alberta, Canada. One of the many joys of Dr. Simmons' ministry has been leading over 40 tours to the Holy Land and lecturing there each day. His tours led him to Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Greece. Over the years Dr. Simmons met and ministered to many people both at home and abroad. He will be greatly missed by all who have been blessed by having known him.
In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to be sent to First Baptist Church of Long Beach Building Fund, 300 N. Cleveland Ave., Long Beach, MS 39560, or New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, 3939 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70126.
Visitation will be Tuesday, January 17, 2017 from 9:30 am-11:00 am followed by the funeral service at First Baptist Church, Long Beach. Burial will follow at the Biloxi National Cemetery.