Gloria (Williams) Simmons, 74, died May 23 unexpectedly at Miles Hospital, after recuperating from a lengthy illness, surrounded by her husband and loving family.
Gloria Wanda Williams was born on July 21, 1937 in Seymour, Tex. to Clarence and Clemmie (Newman) Williams. She lived in the small town of Dundee, Tex. with her parents and two older sisters, Juanita and Anita, where her parents owned a small gas station and grocery store. They moved to Wichita Falls, Tex. in 1948, where she met her future husband, and love of her life, Maurice Louis Simmons. They were married May 1, 1953. Lou was in the Air Force and they moved to Amarillo, Tex. for two years.
In 1955, Lou resigned from the Air Force and moved to his hometown of Friendship for two years and both Lou and Gloria worked for Sylvania in Waldoboro. Lou reenlisted in 1957, and they moved to Presque Isle where they had their children, Patrick Louis in 1958, followed by Terri Lynn in 1959. From 1960 to 1973, Gloria lived the life of an Air Force wife, following Lou to the Philippines and various American bases until they retired to Richmond in Nov. 1973. Gloria loved being an Air Force wife.
Gloria was a devoted wife and mother and was very involved in her children’s lives. In addition, Gloria worked for several years at Clarostat in Richmond as an assembly worker. After her children graduated from high school, Gloria and Lou moved back to Waldoboro in 1979. Gloria worked as a sales clerk at Radio Shack in Waldoboro, and also volunteered at Fieldcrest nursing home for several years. She was active in the United Methodist Church of Waldoboro. Most of all, she was a doting mother and grandmother. She loved her family more than anything and was very supportive of them all.
Gloria was a wonderful, sweet caring woman who loved her husband and family and was a friend to everyone she met. She was a very spiritual woman and loved church and listening to Gospel music. She loved going to her house on Friendship Long Island and being with all her family, especially listening to her grandchildren gossip. Gloria also was a Walmart shopaholic, an avid soap opera fan and collected pigs, and was a regular at Moody’s. Gloria never forgot to send a card to her family and friends on birthdays and holidays. She loved the occasional trips she took back to her hometown of Wichita Falls, Tex. to visit family and friends.
Gloria was predeceased by her parents, Clarence and Clemie Williams; and sister, Juanita Klassen.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Louis Simmons; son and daughter-in-law, Pat and Tami Simmons of Bowdoinham; daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Paul Petroulis of Richmond; grandchildren, Amber Simmons of Brunswick, Nicholas Petroulis and fiancée Sarah Wright of Brewer, Ana Whitaker and husband Jeremy of Augusta, and Alexandra Petroulis of Richmond; step grandchildren, Summer (and Norman) Knight of Portland, Sunshine Anders (and Lauren Baxter) of Newton, Mass., Corey Grover of Boston, Mass., and India (and Dan) Gregware of San Diego, Cal.; step-great-grandchildren, Tytus and Gavin Whitaker; newest addition, great-grandson, Elijah Paul Whitaker; sister, Anita Williams of Wichita Falls, Tex.; brother-in-law, Linden (and Peggy) Simmons of Wiscasset; and several nieces and nephews in Phoenix, Arizona and in Maine.
Visiting hours 2 p.m., Sun., May 27 at Hall Funeral Home in Waldoboro with the funeral to follow at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be given to Waldoboro Emergency Medical Services or to Cove’s Edge Rehab in Damariscotta.
