SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 904


In Memory

of

William Freeman Simmons

	WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas joins the 
citizens of Irving and devotees of Western swing from around the 
world in mourning the death of William Freeman Simmons, who died 
January 24, 2005, at the age of 80; and
	WHEREAS, A keyboard player for the Light Crust Doughboys, 
Bill began playing the piano as soon as he could reach the keys 
and was playing professionally on the radio by the time he was in 
high school; he also played the guitar, clarinet, saxophone, 
bass, trumpet, fiddle, and mandolin; and
	WHEREAS, Bill began performing with the Light Crust 
Doughboys in 1954; he became a regular in 1981 and won a Grammy 
with the group in 2003; and
	WHEREAS, Music was his life, and he composed a number of 
songs; perhaps the most well known is "M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I," a 
pop classic that he wrote with his wife, Lena "Bunny" Simmons, 
and that was recorded by Ella Fitzgerald, Red Foley, and the 
Light Crust Doughboys; and
	WHEREAS, A quiet man who loved to perform, Bill Simmons is 
a member of the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame, the Texas Western Swing 
Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the International 
Country Gospel Hall of Fame; and
	WHEREAS, Bill gave unselfishly of himself to others, and 
his warmth, strength, and generosity will not be forgotten; now, 
therefore, be it
	RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas,
79th Legislature, hereby extend sincere condolences to
the bereaved family of William Freeman Simmons:  his wife,
Lena "Bunny" Simmons; his daughters, Cynthia Louise Wainscott 
and Anna Mae Leddy; his sons, Fred Simmons and William F. Simmons, 
Jr.; and his seven grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren; 
and, be it further
	RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 
the members of the Simmons family as an expression of deepest 
sympathy from the Texas Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns 
this day, it do so in memory of William Freeman Simmons.
                                                                          Deuell




________________________________ 
    President of the Senate
 
    I hereby certify that the 
above Resolution was adopted by 
the Senate on May 16, 2005, by a 
rising vote.



________________________________ 
    Secretary of the Senate



________________________________ 
     Member, Texas Senate