Bill Simons

[Bob Hunt]

Many here have asked in the past about the whereabouts and condition of Bill Simons. I'm very sad to report that Bill passed away on November 19, 2015. I just got this information, and thought that everyone here ought to know.

Bill was one of my closest friends back in the 1960s and 70s, but we sort of lost touch over the years. Bill was the Best Man at my wedding n 1973. I have many very fond memories of the time we spent together building and flying.

Godspeed Bill...

Bob Hunt

[Will Hinton]

So sorry to read of this.  There's something about losing a best man that touches all of us in a different manner.  Losing a great friend is even more of a loss.

[tom_weedman]

Met Bill at a control line contest in Palm bay Florida got him to sign my P 39 Aircobra he designed still have it hanging on the wall very nice gentleman full of information ended up with some of his control line stuff few years back sad to hear
Godspeed Bill
Tom Weedman

[Andre Ming]

Bob:

Sorry to read of the passing of your long time friend.

Andre

[Tony Drago]

I always liked his P-40 design.

[Chris McMillin]

Sorry to hear this, Bob. Bill was a very kind man. I think of him every once in a while, fine modeler.
Chris...

[Frank Imbriaco]

I first witnessed Bill's exemplary  building and flying skills at the renowned  Far Hills, NJ Labor Day Meet  in September 1967.
He was flying his impressive Aircobra . A few months later, he invited me to come to his home , see his shop, and help in anyway he could. Unfortunately, I  had to decline as I just got my driver's license and didn't yet have a car.
He was a strong competitor on the East coast circuit and later did quite well at the NATS.
I will always remember him as polished guy who extended a hand to a young teen.

[Phil Spillman]

In my earlier yeas of PA competition I met Bill at the Circle Burners a couple of time but the most memorable occasion for me happened at the Coxackie, NY contest held in the greater Albany, NY area in the late 80's. I was flying a Mid-West ME-109 with an OS 35S for power. He worked for over an hour with me as an early Intermediate competitor to try to help me to get the thing to run in a satisfactory manner. We never did get that thing to run right to our mutual consternations! However it di run well enough to let me at least complete a pattern! Later, at home, I found the problem and fixed it. However I never forgot the help he tried to give to me as a nobody from himself a well known somebody! His help has guided me to act accordingly when I encounter new flyers of flyers in need of assistance wherein I might have something of relevance to contribute. He's was one of the best examples, of many, I have experienced in my Stunt Life.

Phil Spillman   

[EddyR]

 Bills death had been mentioned several times on here over the years. I guess some of you had missed it. I met Bill at a Florida contest years ago when he came to watch.  He was hard to miss. He did not look well at that time.
Ed

[builditright]

I too am very sorry to read this.
I only had the chance to speak with Bill a couple of times when I was kiting
his P-39 but I have to say that he was such a gentlemen and a to chat with.

I am sorry for the loss to our hobby, buy I am very sorry for the loss of your
dear friend Bob.

My condolences to you  Bob and to the Simon's family.

[Les McDonald]

I met Bill at the 71 Glenview Nats. I was enthusiastic but clueless so he kind of took me under his wing and over the following years Simo and I became tight friends. His help during my first World Champs trip I described in the Stiletto Chronicles was just the thing that buddies do for each other but we went deeper than that.
From about 1972 and beyond I used an old Adamisin handle that Bill gave me. I modified that thing five or six times and won three World Championships with it. Laughable technology now but it got the job done back then.
One winter Bill and Tootie spent an entire vacation in Miami with Nancy and I. No flying, no building consultation just them enjoying the beaches and sights. I even provided a car for them to use 24/7.
The last time I saw Bill was at a contest in Florida not long after he moved to Palm Bay, maybe 1992 or 93, not sure.
It was chilly that day so Bill and I sat in one car and talked while Roberta and Tootie sat in another and did the same.
On our way home Roberta told me that Tootie was fascinated by the large, graceful birds that were over the contest site and declared them to be her favorite species of birds. So now, to this very day Roberta and I call Turkey Vultures------Tootie Birds.

[Curt D Contrata]

“Roberta and I call Turkey Vultures------Tootie Birds.”

Love that one, and very hard to top.

I flew in Palm Bay a few times with John Ramsden with Bill attending. Bill’s knees as I remember had about given out and hie would pretty much collapse on the ground to launch my model. Not sure if it was the real story but I seem to remember hearing he was a mail carrier for many years and that was the reason.

Bill was a kind man, I feel lucky to have met and flown in front of him.

Curt

[Chris McMillin]

Thanks Bob,
I always like your stories. Most of us do.
Chris...

[wwwarbird]

 Great story Bob.