Billy “Stime” Simonson, 69, passed away peacefully at Residential Hospice in Wilkes-Barre, PA on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 following a long battle with cancer.
Billy was born to parents Thomas and Eleanor (Loughney) Simonson and grew up in West Pittston. He graduated from Wyoming Area School District, where he excelled at football, baseball, and basketball, lettering in all three sports. He went on to play football for the Scranton Eagles in 1971, the year they took the championship. Billy loved all things sports and opened Simonson’s sporting goods in the 70’s. He later went on to help manage Front Row Sports, a chain of sporting goods stores owned by his brothers in Las Vegas. Billy was an avid hunter and fisherman and loved the outdoors.
He will be deeply missed by his devoted wife of 25 years, Carolyn; ex-wife Maureen; daughter Kelly Gazey; son-in-law Jeff; five-year-old granddaughter Gianna; brothers Tommy and wife Mary Lou of Las Vegas; Bobby of Connecticut; Jimmy and wife Kelly of Las Vegas; niece Tara; and nephews Tommy, Christopher, Spencer, and Noah.
At Billy’s request, private arrangements are being made by the family through Kiesinger Funeral Services, Inc., 255 McAlpine St., Duryea.