Hurley Homer Simmons

Hurley Homer Simmons, 96, passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 11, 2025, surrounded by his children. Born at home on January 10, 1929, in the hills of Hacker Valley, West Virginia, Hurley lived a life marked by hard work, unwavering faith, and deep love for his family.

The son of Ezra Simmons and Leafie Lizzie Fisher Simmons, Hurley spent his early years in rural West Virginia before later settling in Ohio and eventually South Carolina. He proudly served in the U.S. Army as a Military Police Officer, stationed in Germany and throughout Europe, where he once had the honor of guiding Eisenhower.

Hurley took courses in civil engineering at Glenville State College and West Virginia University in Morgantown. Over the years, he pursued an industrious and diverse career: from owning a Pure Oil gas station and sawmill in West Virginia, to tool-and-die work at Modern Tool and Die in Ohio, to serving as State Coordinator for Consumer Companies of America in South Carolina. He later retired from General Electric, where he worked in the gas turbine division as a CNC machinist and programmer.

Hurley was a hard worker who was never content with just one job. He embraced countless side ventures, including owning and renting motor homes, selling insurance, running the Flip N Dip ice cream parlor and Hallmark Square Cafeteria, and managing rental properties.

Hurley was a man of many passions. He maintained a large garden to feed his family, raised honeybees and Brittany Spaniel bird dogs, and enjoyed hunting, fishing, camping, and cross-country travel. One of his proudest adventures was driving his family from Ohio to Anchorage, Alaska in a motorhome over the unpaved Alaskan Highway in the summer of 1973. He also loved golfing in his college years and bowled in leagues with his beloved wife, Libby.

A faithful Baptist, Hurley was a devoted church member who often served as a deacon and filled many other roles. He was also a member of the Gideons International Powdersville Camp, where he remained active and held many offices over the years.

Hurley was a strong, dependable man who could fix just about anything. He believed in the power of gratitude, the value of each day, and the importance of living with integrity. As he often reminded others, “We can't worry about yesterday, and tomorrow may never come, so let's just do the very best we can with today, the day the Lord gives us.”

He is survived by his children, John Edward Simmons (Renay), Donna Ann Bodenmiller (Tim), and Lisa Carol Simmons Pack; nine grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 65 years, Elizabeth Ann “Libby” Skidmore Simmons; his brother, Millard Simmons; sisters, Betty Mader and Sherley Wentz; and son-in-law, Kerry Manning Pack.

A funeral service will be held at Long Run Community Church at Cowger Hill (675 Cowger Hill Road, Hacker Valley, WV 26222) on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Visitation will begin at 2:00 p.m. with the service following at 3:00 p.m. Burial will take place at Hacker Valley Cemetery.

While flowers are warmly welcomed and appreciated, those who feel led may consider making a donation in Hurley’s memory to Gideons International. Contributions can be sent to:

Gideons International - Powdersville Camp

P.O. Box 51064

Piedmont, SC 29673

Please note “In Memory of Hurley Simmons”

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.doddreedfh.com.

Dodd & Reed Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Simmons family.