Bill Simonds, 71, of Franklin, passed away Saturday, August 20, 2011.

Born in Macon County, he was the son of the late Harvey Simonds and Laura DeHart Simonds. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Myrtle Helms, Delpha Simonds and Frances Holbrooks and four brothers, Frank, Ernest, Walter and Vaughn. Bill was a devoted member of Burningtown Baptist Church. He worked as a carpenter for Claude Welch Construction for over 40 years. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and spending time with his family especially his seven grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ruth Edwards Simonds; two sons, Roger Simonds and wife Angel of Bessemer City, NC and Eddie Simonds of Franklin; brother, Hoyt Simonds and wife Shirley of Franklin; five sisters, Ruby Harris and husband Cody and Betty Howie and husband Frank both of Harrisburg, NC, Irene Belk of Charlotte, NC and Violet Tolliver of Matthews, NC and Joyce Drinnon of Waynesville, NC ; brother-in-law, Boyd Holbrooks and sister-in-law Alza Simonds both of Franklin; seven grandchildren, Jackson, Camille, Naomi, Julia, Callie, Bess and Sarah and many nieces and nephews.

Funeral Service will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, August 23, in the Chapel of Macon Funeral Home. Rev. Randy Drinnon and Rev. Charles Stevens will officiate. Burial will be in the Burningtown Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 12-2 p.m. Tuesday, prior to the service at Macon Funeral Home.

Pallbearers will be Donnie Bishop, George Taylor, Terry Land, Mark Doolittle, Tracy Chastain and Bill Hughes. Honorary Pallbearers will be Don Jones, John Welch, Harry Henry, Bill Drinnon, Don Bell and Jim Kautz.

Memorial Donations can be made to the Burningtown Baptist Church Cemetery Fund, C/O Ruth Simonds, 279 Edwards Road, Franklin, NC 28734.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences can be made at maconfuneralhome.com