William A. Simmons

William Americus Simmons, known to all as "Bill", died on May 11, 2012, age 81, of lung cancer. He was born to Richard Fessler Simmons and Elsie Cronise Simmons and was the youngest of four children. Bill was a ninth generation Fredericktonian. His ancester John Schellman came to Frederick in 1745 and built a house on East Patrick Street. This became known as "the old Fessler Homestead" and was lived in by family until it was torn down in 1891.Bill enjoyed a happy childhood, attended Parkway Elementary and Frederick High School, Class of 1947. He graduated from Gettysburg College in 1951 and then joined his father at Marken & Bielfeld, a local printing company. He married Mary Ann Guild of MA, a Hood graduate, in 1959, and they had two children, Lisa and Allan. Bill devoted his entire career to the art of fine printing and graphic design. He followed with passion the credo of the founding partners set forth in 1885: "Quality first, with full value and personal service, always!" He particularly enjoyed working with and encouraging young artists and designers in the printing industry. He submitted the work of many area artists to competition in the Washington Area Printing Industry Annual Awards for Excellence and brought thirty nine awards to the firm for work created by Frederick artists. He was named a Master Printer. The business was sold to Corporate Press, Inc. in 1995. Bill joined the Frederick Lion's Club in 1952 and continued an active membership until his death. He was elected a Melvin Jones Fellow. His father's cousin, H. Noel Haller, was the charter president in 1922, and his father was the third president. Bill was president in 1960. He served on many boards, including the Printing Industry of Washington, the Frederick Chamber of Commerce, the Frederick County Economic and Community Development Commission, Grangers Mutual Insurance Company and the Alumni Association of T.K.E. fraternity of Gettysburg College. He also served as an advisory member of the Farmers and Mechanics National Bank and was a charter member and past president of the Men's Garden Club. . He is survived by his wife Mary Ann, their children, Lisa Guild Simmons [Branic] Ausherman and her husband, Marvin E. Ausherman, and Allan Fessler Simmons and his wife, Melissa Curry Simmons; three grandchildren, Nicholas Andrew Branic, Alexa Daniele Branic and Alexander Fessler Simmons; one sister, E. Marguerite " Peggy " Eckard of Richmond, VA, aged 92; plus nephews, nieces and cousins. He was predeceased by a brother, Richard F. Simmons, II, and a sister, Lois S. Keeney. The family will receive friends from 1 to 3 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2012 at Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church Street, Frederick . A Memorial service will begin at 11 AM on Friday, May 18 at Evangelical Lutheran Church, 31 E. Church St., Frederick. Officiating will be the Rev. Dr. W. Philip Fogarty. Inurnment will be private at the family plot in Mt Olivet Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Kline Hospice House, 7000 Kimmel Road, Mt. Airy, MD 21771; the Community Foundation of Frederick County, 312 E. Church St., Frederick, MD 21701; or to Evangelical Lutheran Church, 35 E. Church St., Frederick, MD 21701. Expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.keeneybasford.com.