Gloria Wanda Williams was born on July 21st, 1937 in Seymour Texas to Clarence and Clemmie (Newman) Williams. She lived in the small town of Dundee, Texas with her parents and 2 older sisters, Juanita and Anita, where her parents owned a small gas station and grocery store. They moved to Wichita Falls, Texas in 1948, where she met her future husband, and love of her life, Maurice Louis Simmons. They were married May 1st , 1953. Lou was in the Air Force and they moved to Amarillo, Texas for 2 years.
In 1955, Lou resigned from the Air Force and moved to his hometown of Friendship, Maine for 2 years and both Lou and Gloria worked for Sylvania in Waldoboro. Lou reenlisted in 1957, and they moved to Presque Isle where they had their children, Patrick Louis in 1958, followed by Terri Lynn in 1959. From 1960 to 1973, Gloria lived the life of an Air Force wife, following Lou to the Philippines and various American bases until they retired to Richmond, Maine in Nov. 1973. Gloria loved being an Air Force wife.
Gloria was a devoted wife and mother and was very involved in her children’s lives. In addition, Gloria worked for several years at Clarostat in Richmond as an assembly worker. After her children graduated from high school, Gloria and Lou moved back to Waldoboro, Maine in 1979. Gloria worked as a salesclerk at Radio Shack in Waldoboro, and also volunteered at FieldCrest Nursing home for several years. She was active in the United Methodist Church of Waldoboro. Most of all, she was a doting mother and grandmother. She loved her family more than anything and was very supportive of them all, and will be greatly missed.
Gloria was predeceased by her parents, Clarence and Clemie Williams and her sister Juanita Klassen.
She is survived by her husband of 59 years, Louis Simmons, her son and daughterin law, Pat and Tami Simmons of Bowdoinham, her daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Paul Petroulis of Richmond, Her grandchildren, Amber Simmons of Brunswick, Nicholas Petroulis and fiancé Sarah Wright of Brewer Maine, Ana Whitaker and her husband Jeremy of Augusta, Alexandra Petroulis of Richmond, her step grandchildren: Summer (and Norman) Knight of Portland, Sunshine Anders (and Lauren Baxter) of Newton, Mass., Corey Grover of Boston, Mass., India (and Dan) Gregware of San Diego, Cal., her step-great grandchildren, Tytus and Gavin Whitaker, and her newest addition, her greatgrandson, Elijah Paul Whitaker. She is also survived by her sister, Anita Williams of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Brother-in-law Linden (and Peggy) Simmons of Wiscasset, and several nieces and nephews in Phoenix, Arizona and in Maine.
Gloria was a wonderful, sweet caring woman who loved her husband and family and was a friend to everyone she met. She was a very spiritual woman and loved church and listening to Gospel music. She loved going to her house on Friendship Long Island and being with all her family, especially listening to her grandchildren gossip. Gloria also was a Walmart shopaholic, an avid soap opera fan and collected pigs, and was a regular at Moody’s. Gloria never forgot to send a card to her family and friends on birthdays and holidays. She loved the occasional trips she took back to her hometown of Wichita Falls, Texas to visit family and friends.
Visiting hours were on Sunday May 27th at Hall Funeral Home in Waldoboro at 1PM with the funeral to follow at 2 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations can be given to Waldoboro Ambulance Services or to Coves Edge Rehab in Damariscotta.
Many thanks to the staff at Coves Edge rehab and Miles hospital for their wonderful care.
obits@timesrecord.com
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