Inerview with a Gulf War Vet: Minister William J. Simmons, Sr.

Minister William Jerome Simmons, Sr. was born on November 24, 1963 in Conway, SC to the late Deacon Leonard Simmons, Sr. and the late Mrs. Frances White Simmons. He is the second son of three to be born in this marriage. He came to know Jesus as his personal Savior at the Bethel AME Church in Conway, SC at the age of 13 on a Friday evening in the Fall of 1977. While at the Bethel AME Church from childhood until January 2012, he sung on the Choraleers Choir, Jubilee Choir, Men’s Choir, Secretary for the Church SOA Local Chapter, Junior Trustee, and accepted his calling into the Ministry on December 31, 2007. He gave his initial sermon on May 18, 2008 from the Gospel of Matt 16: 24-28 entitled, “To Be or Not To Be: Pick Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus.” He received his first license to preach from the Marion District of the AME Church on June 5, 2008 at Bethel AME Church of Conway, SC. Currently, Minister Simmons is a Minister under the Linda Wright International Ministries. Minister Simmons believes that it is all about being obedient to God’s directives.Minister Simmons is a Class of 1982 Graduate of the Conway High School where he graduated with Honors. After high school, he attended USC- Coastal Carolina University which is now Coastal Carolina University. After about two years and working two jobs to help his mother and family, completed his two year obligation at Ft. Polk, Louisiana and then returned back to Coastal in March of 1986 until August of 1986. Also in August, Min. Simmons transferred to USC-Columbia and later obtained his Bachelors of Science in Biology on December 18, 1988. He was also commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army National Guard in the Medical Service Corps. Approximately two years later on Sept. 1, 1990, Bill Jr. (B.J.). B.J. is a National Scholar and is attending USC-Columbia majoring in Computer Information Systems and Business Administration. Currently,