William Burl Simmons Jr.

William Burl Simmons Jr. (86) of Augusta, Arkansas departed this life on Thursday, January 26, 2023, in McCrory, Arkansas. He was born November 15, 1936, in Duffel, Arkansas, the son of William (Buddy) Sr. and Anna Mae Brandon Simmons. In April of 1962, he married his beloved wife, June Jackson Simmons. Mr. Burl Simmons was well known in the Woodruff County Community. He had many passions in his life that he poured his heart into. His first job was driving a school bus while he was a senior in high school; being the first student driver at McCrory Schools. Immediately after graduation in 1955, Burl went to work for Jay Lawhon with Lawhon Farm Supply. He helped Mr. Jay Lawhon open a store in Forrest City which he managed for a few years before returning to the McCrory location. After that he worked for Mr. Jerry Morris at Famers Granary. Later he became the Chief Deputy for Woodruff County Sheriff, Ed Hall, for seven years. In 1959 he joined the US Army National Guard and went on to be over serval armories in the State of Arkansas. Burl was initiated as an Apprentice Mason on January 30, 1964. On May 9, 1966, he was passed to the Degree of Fellow craft Mason for a short time until he was raised to Master Mason on July 11, 1966. Burl was also a 32 Degree Scottish Mason of the Valley of Jonesboro as of January 15, 1982. In 1982, he went full time in the US Army National Guard. He continued with the Guard for fourteen years. After retiring from the Guard in 1996, Burl and several of his motorcycle friends including, Leon Creasey and Bill Daniels, started riding tours all over the United States. In 2001 Burl ran for Woodruff County Judge and held that position for the next eight years. Despite being retired he decided to run for Augusta Mayor which he was for three years. Burl sat on the ARCare Board from January of 2005 until December of 2009. He was then appointed Board Chairman until he resigned in December of 2021. Everyone loved “The Cigar Man” and knew he was always willing to lend a helping hand to whoever was in need. Burl was a man of great faith and a devoted member of the Magnolia Street Church of Christ in Augusta. He was loved by all those who knew him and will be deeply missed. The family would like to say a special thank you to his caregivers, Mae Woodall and Brittney Higgs for all the care and support they provided the last four years. They would also like to thank his friends and neighbors, Jen, Dara, and Brother Jason Whitmire. Left to cherish his memory is, his wife; June Jackson Simmons of the home, his son; Karam Burl Simmons of Augusta, AR, his daughter; Farah June Simmons of Florida, his grandchildren; Levi Simmons of Tennessee, Devin (Brooke) Simmons of Ward, AR, Justin (Gabrielle) Simmons of McCrory, AR, and Morgan Simmons of McCrory, AR, his great grandchildren; Piper Simmons, Ashlyn Simmons Dewitt, Ellie Simmons, Noah Simmons, and Adeline Simmons, he is also survived by his brother; J.L. (Sue) Simmons, brother in laws; Jimmy Jackson and Max (Shirley) Jackson, sister in laws; Sue (Denis) Ross and Beverly (Sonny) Fields, and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by; his parents, William (Buddy) and Anna Mae Brandon Simmons and his two sisters; Annelle Burrow and Mary Sue Lamphly. Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, January 28, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at the McCrory High School Auditorium with Bro. Larry Bankston officiating. Visitation will be held prior to services from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Interment will follow in the Fakes Cemetery in McCrory. Those honored to serve as pallbearers are, Levi Simmons, Devin Simmons, Justin Simmons, Wayne Smith, Doug Smith, Rodney Fields, Kerry Tharpe and Kip Davis. Honorary Pallbearers are the County Judges and the Military. Arrangements are entrusted to Powell Funeral Home of Woodruff County. In lieu of flowers please consider memorial donations to Children’s Home Inc. of Paragould, 5515 Walcott Rd, Paragould, AR 72450

William Burl Simmons Jr.

November 15, 1936 - January 26, 2023