William Frank Simms

William Frank "Frankie" Simms, 85, passed away Thursday, December 7, 2023.

A celebration of his life will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, at First Baptist Church of Panhandle with Pastor Josh Light officiating.  

Frank was born April 3, 1938, in Amarillo to Minor Simms and Beatrice Johnson Simms.  He married Lori Beam on June 29, 1996, in Panhandle.  Frank graduated from Panhandle High School in 1956. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Agriculture from Texas Tech University in 1960. He was a pioneer in the cattle feeding industry, building Carson County Feedyard in 1969.  He was a lifelong farmer and rancher in the Panhandle Community.   He served on the PISD school board, Panhandle City Council, and the Carson County Appraisal District Board. He was President of the Panhandle Groundwater Conservation District and a long-time director of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association. He remains on the board at the Square House Museum. Frank had a servant's heart, and there was nothing he wouldn't do to help someone in need. He never met a stranger. Frank enjoyed the community so much that one of his favorite pastimes was driving around town just to make sure all was going according to his standards. He would take a bet on almost anything with blackjack being his go-to game.  He also enjoyed Texas Tech sports, the Texas Rangers, and watching his grandchildren's sporting events.  Nothing brought more joy to his life than his wife, children, and especially his grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Minor and Beatrice Simms.

Survivors include his wife, Lori of Panhandle; sons, Stan Simms and wife Debbie of Granbury, Paul Winegeart and wife Melanie of DeLeon, Philip Winegeart and wife Sherry of Panhandle, Peter Winegeart and wife Margaret of Panhandle; daughters, Glenna Henderson and husband Craig of Amarillo, Shana Simms of Lake Alan Henry, Penny Murphy and husband Jonathan of Stratford; twenty grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers his memory may be honored with a gift to Carson County Square House Museum, PO Box 276, Panhandle, Texas, 79068 or the FBC Panhandle, PO Box 189, Panhandle, Texas, 79068 or Special Delivery Adoptions, 2505 Lakeview Drive, Amarillo, Texas 79109.