I was born (William Jackson Simmons Jr.) on March 3, 1944 in Tampa, Florida to William Jackson Simmons Sr. and Virginia Paschall Simmons.  I lived with my parents in Plant City, Fla. until they were divorced when I was 6 years old.  I lived with my father and paternal grandparents until my father remarried in 1954.  We lived in Michigan for a year and then moved to Brandon, Fla. for a couple of years.  In 1958 we moved back in with my grandparents because my father got divorced again.  When he remarried a third time we stayed in Plant City.  I graduated in 1962 from Plant City Senior High School (PCHS).

One of the greatest influences in my life was Mr. Herb Beam.  He was the vocal music teacher at PCHS.  I sang in the chorus and had roles in every Broadway musical presented during my four years in high school.  I started taking Ballet my freshman year so I could become a “triple threat”.   Another influential teacher in my life was Mr. Stuart Bruner.  He was the Band teacher.  I served as the Drum Major for the band in grades 10-12.

Then it was off to FSU to major in Theater.  There I performed in Musicals, Operas, and Plays.  What a great time.  I was a member of the technical staff of the Symphony and Opera Association of Florida.  I served as a Performer, Choreographer, Stage Manager, Stagehand, set builder and all around gofer.

The highlight of my time at FSU was meeting my wife, Barbara.  She came backstage with the stage manager of a production of the opera “Susannah” (by Carlisle Floyd) and left with me.  Five years later ( June 13, 1968) we were married.  We still are, over 40 years later.

I dropped out of college in May 1966 (lack of money led to lack of food and loss of 20 pounds) and joined the United States Air Force.  My Air Force career included assignments to Tyndall AFB, FL. (Supply Trainer), the University of Denver (to finish my bachelors degree in Television Production), Maxwell AFB, AL (Academic Instructors Course Faculty), Francis E. Warren AFB, WY. (Missile Operations), Offutt AFB, NE. (Joint Targeting Staff), Murted AB, Turkey (Operations Officer), Ramstein AB, Germany (Command and Control Directorate), Florennes AB, Belgium (Chief of Command Post), RAF Molesworth, UK (Commander 87 Tactical Missile Squadron and Assistant Deputy Commander for Operations), and finally Offutt AFB, NE (Chief, Logistics Readiness Center, SAC and Total Quality Management Staff Officer, United States Strategic Command).  I retired 1 February 1993 after 26 years 8 months and 14 days of service (but who’s counting).

Barbara and I were ski bums in Steamboat Springs, CO for two and a half months after I retired.  I figured I should do that while my knees still worked.  We had a great time and improved our skiing a bunch.

In the 15 years since retiring I have owned a food production business (learned a lot), built three successful direct selling businesses (learned a lot more), and generally had a great time doing it.  I am still actively involved in the direct selling industry.

Somewhere in there our son Greg spent 6 years in the USAF, married Christine, a high school friend (another Air Force brat), and gave us two beautiful and talented grandchildren.  Our other son, Brad married a girl he met in high school (NOT an Air Force brat) and gave us four more beautiful and talented grandchildren.  We are wonderfully blessed!

This is the historical basis for this blog.  The development of this Blog will provide insight into “the rest of the story.”