Plankowner
Posts: 5024
Location: Gulfport, MS | Subject: Obit Messenger results for 02/16/09
- (The Olympian)
MAY, Mancel, 90, died January 31, 2009. Mancel was born September 1, 1918 in the rural farming county of Crenshaw, Alabama. The fourth of five children, Mancel came of age during the depression era. Moving around, looking for work, he enlisted in the US Navy and was selected for submarine training. He was aboard the USS Spearfish (SS-190) in Manila at the start of WWII and made numerous war patrols in the Pacific during the war, advancing to the rank of Engineering Chief Petty Officer. Coming to Olympia in 1955 as a Navy Recruiter, Mancel fell in love with the area and stayed after retirement. He worked in the Real Estate business for a number of years, first with Groundwater Realty and then with the State Department of Natural Resources and the Washington State Parks Department, (Supervisor for Concessions and Commercial Leases). In 1944 Mancel married Catherine E. Hasset and they had two sons (Roy and Ray). In 1974 Mancel married Louise (Wilson) Collins and inherited three daughters (Sherry, Patty and Judy) and one son (Don). Mancel was pre-deceased by both wives, Catherine and Louise; and by his stepson, Don Collins. Mancel will be greatly missed by his two sons; three daughters; his eleven grandchildren and six great grandchildren; as well as two special friends, Evelyn Matter (Sioux Falls, South Dakota) and Virginia L. Shupp (Olympia). Mancel was very active in the community around him with membership in Masonic Lodge #1; Olympia Elks Lodge and the Thurston Mason Shrine Club. He was also active in a number of Service Organizations: National CPO Association; Fleet Reserve Association; American Legion; Am-Vets, Post 2; and particularly with VFW Post 318. Graveside Services will be at Mills & Mills Memorial Park in Tumwater on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. A reception will follow at the Olympia VFW Hall, 2902 Martin Way E. Arrangements by Mills & Mills Funeral Home.
- (The Anniston Star)
SIMMONS, William Gordon "Strawberry", 90, born in Alexandria, AL, he was a well-known contractor in the area for half a century, co-founding Simmons & Simmons Contractors in Anniston in 1953 with his brother Roscoe. He went to college at Hinds Jr. College and the University of Southern Mississippi on a football scholarship before serving in the US Navy Submarine Service during WWII. He was in active combat aboard the USS Bergall (SS-320), ranging from the South China Sea to the Bearing Straights. He lived in Weaver for almost 30 years where he raised his family and was active in community affairs including building the baseball field, swimming pool and serving on the city council. He was widely known by his nickname, Strawberry, acquired from a severely sunburned nose he got when he was 27. He retired to Panama City Beach, Florida in 1987 to continue his lifelong passion of fishing. He was a devout family man and dedicated endless hours to the community mission of Gulfview United Methodist Church in PCB. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Alison Knight Simmons and two sons, Rudy Simmons of Ohatchee, Ala. and David Simmons of Memphis, Tenn. A third son, Arthur Simmons passed away in 2007. He has 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. He was also the last survivor of 8 siblings. He lived in Jacksonville, AL for the past three years and died of natural causes after a short illness. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in his name to Gulfview United Methodist Church in Panama City Beach, FL. The memorial service will be at 2 pm, Tuesday, Feb. 17 at First Methodist Church of Jacksonville.
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Obit Messenger results for 02/16/09
