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He was born January 6, 1935 in Kentwood, LA. He was the son of Iley and Bennie Mae Swearingen Simmons.

He was a longtime member of Line Creek Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and served on various committees’ until his health began to fail.

He was retired from being a “Jack of all Trades”. “ Dubby” as all of his friends knew him, ran a dairy on the family home place for 61 years. He was a graduate of Kentwood High School where he played football and basketball and after graduation returned to teach shop. He was a member of the square dance club team that appeared on WDSU-TV. He was very active in 4H and FFA and began showing cows at the young age of 9. In 1945 Iley and I.W. made a trip to West Memphis, AR to buy two registered Jerseys for $350.00 each and which became the first Jerseys in the State of Louisiana. In 1952 he was chosen King of the 4H Achievement Day.

Also in 1952-53, he was chosen Homecoming King and the 1953 class favorite. In 1954 I.W. represented Tangipahoa Parish at the 4H National Convention in Washington, D.C. and appeared on National TV as one America’s top 10, 4H club members. He went on to show cattle from age 9 to 21. He received the Governor’s award pin for outstanding 4H Club member in 1955 from Governor Bob Kennon. In 1996 he served as Kentwood Dairy Days parade as Grand Marshall.

In 1955 he married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Dykes and they were married for 60 years until her death in 2016. They resided in the Line Creek community. As their family grew, so did the love of motorbikes. He and his three sons enjoyed family time which consisted of many hours of riding and working on bikes. He remarried in August 2017 to Eva Watts. I.W. loved his family, farm life, motorbikes and “His Lord”.

He is preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Peggy Dykes Simmons, mother of his children; his sister, Joyce Yvonne Simmons and his brother, Bennie Gaylon Simmons.

He is survived by his wife, Eva Watts Simmons of Line Creek ; three sons, Wilkie Simmons, III and fiance’, Nancy Morris, Wayne Simmons and wife, Lisa and Wendell Simmons and wife, Ginger all of Line Creek; four grandchildren and spouses, Kevin and Ashley Simmons of East Fork, Kristin and Jerome Anderson of Springfield LA, Jeff and Meagan Simmons of Denham Springs, LA and Chelsea Simmons of Baton Rouge; six great-grandchildren, Tanner Raborn, Laney Grace Simmons, Lynlee Dawn Simmons, Tyler James Simmons, Landry Blair Simmons and Kollen Anderson; step daughters, Jean Watts of Kentwood, LA and Shawne Graves of Loranger, LA; step grandchildren, Devin Mitchell of Kentwood, La, Jamie Quinlan of Kentwood, Nicole Jennings of Odessa, TX and Bradley Wallace of Summit; several step great grandchildren and two step great-great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Dr. James Smith and wife Nora of Williamsburg, VA.

Visitation is Monday at Line Creek Baptist Church from 6PM until 9PM and Tuesday from 9:00AM until services at 11:00 AM with Bro. Merlin McCon, Bro. Shane Pourciau and Bro. Glynn Reine officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Sharkey Funeral Home in Summit.

Pallbearers are Jeff Simmons, Kevin Simmons, Scott Simmons, Brent Simmons, Tommy Simmons, Lewis Lea, Jerome Anderson and Larry Raborn. Honorary pallbearers are James Davis, Udell Lea, Hilton Bryant, Lionel Cutrer, Elton Shaw, Sambo Cutrer, James Hamilton, Pierce Miller and Wade Royals.

“Dubby” requested that memorial donations be made to the Youth Fund at Line Creek Baptist Church, 78659 LA Hwy. 1053, Kentwood, LA 70444.

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