Robert "Bob" Simmons was reunited with his loving wife, Ireleen on Valentines Day, Feb. 14, 2017. Bob was born in Ayden, N.C. April 19, 1924. His parents, Mildred and Clyde Simmons were publishers of the Ayden-Grifton Times. He enjoyed frequent trips to the Atlantic Ocean as a young man, where he, his brother Clyde Jr. and their friends frequently camped out on the beach. He attended The University of North Carolina, and was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity where, in 1943, he and several fraternity brothers volunteered for the Army Air Corps during WWII. Bob excelled during pilot training, and became a co-pilot on a B-24 Liberator in the South Pacific as a member of the 320th Squadron of the 90th Bomb Group (Heavy). While stationed in California before shipping out, he met Ireleen Borges, a nurse trainee from Hanford, Calif. The two corresponded throughout the war, and were married shortly after he returned to the States. Bob remained in the newly created US Air Force after the war. The couple was briefly stationed in San Antonio before he went into the Reserves, and relocated to Kinston, where their daughters, Joan and Diane were born in 1949 and 1956, respectively. Bobs job with Woodmen of the World Insurance brought the family briefly to Houston and Omaha before the family permanently settled in Oklahoma City in 1966. Ireleen kept the house (and Bob) in order, while Bob traveled frequently as the state president of Woodmen, and as an officer in the USAF Reserves, predominantly with the Civil Air Patrol in Oklahoma. After 40 years of service to his country, Bob retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1973, and retired from the Woodmen in 1986. During his retirement, he and Ireleen spent time with their 5 grandchildren, traveled frequently to both California and North Carolina, and rarely missed a 90th Bomb Group Reunion. Bob was a proud Mason, registered at St. Johns #4 Lodge in Kinston. He continued his involvement with the Freemasons in Oklahoma City with the Heroes of 76 and Tinker Sojourners, where he managed the organizations investments and enjoyed the fellowship of his brothers until his death. Bob was preceded in death by his wife, Ireleen, and son-in-law, Donal Hummer. He is survived by daughters, Joan Hummer and Diane Downes; Dianes husband, Pat; five grandchildren: Michael Downes, Kimberly Hummer, M.D., Kristin Goodale, Amy Downes, and Jeff Downes; and one great-granddaughter, Leah Alimjanov. Viewing will be Friday, 9am-9pm, with family present from 6-8pm at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service, Bethany. Services at Mercer-Adams Chapel will commence at 10 a.m. Saturday, February 18. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the 90th Bomb Group Association and/or Tinker Sojourners: Funeral Service Saturday, February 18, 2017 10:00 AM Mercer-Adams Chapel 3925 N. Asbury Bethany, OK 73008