Services for William R. “Bill” Simonson Jr., of Wesson, were 2p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3, at Brookhaven Funeral Home followed by aMasonic graveside service at Wesson Cemetery.

Mr. Simonson, 85, died Dec. 1, 2006, at Mississippi BaptistMedical Center in Jackson. He was born in Bayou LaBatre, Ala., onJuly 11, 1921, to William R. Simonson and Lou Bosarge Simonson.

He was a barge marine superintendent for McDonough Service for35 years. He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, and a Masonin the Wesson Lodge, William Oliver Chapter. He was a member ofStrong Hope Baptist Church. He was a wonderful husband, father,grandfather and father-in-law.

Preceding him in death were his parents; his first wife, DurthaMae Pickett Simonson; his brother and two sisters.

Survivors are his wife, Ann Simonson, of Wesson; his son, JamesR. Simonson and wife Patsy of Brandon; his sister, ElizabethBoutwell, of Bayou LaBatre; his grandchildren, Christa Ewing andhusband Justin, of Madison, and Beau Simonson and wife Nicole, ofWesson; and five great-grandchildren.