Paul William Simons
August 12, 1933 ~ August 9, 2023
Paul William Simons, 89, of Fishers, passed away Wednesday, August 9, 2023.
He was born on August 12, 1933 in McMinnville, Tennessee. Paul served in the U.S. Army in the 3rd Infantry division during the Korean War. He was a lifetime member of the V.F.W. Post #5064, where he served as the post commander in 1991 and 1992. He was also a Tennessee Squire and a Kentucky Colonel. For 19 years, Paul served his community as a Deputy Sheriff for the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. After retiring from the Sheriff’s Department, Paul became a private investigator for the Indiana Department of Transportation. In his leisure time, he enjoyed fishing, vacationing at Daytona Beach with his family, playing cards and cheering on his Cincinnati Reds. On August 15, 1973 he married the love of his life, Jo Ann Simons.
Paul is preceded in death by his parents George Washington and Willie Mae Rowland Simons, beloved wife of 43 years Jo Ann Simons, siblings Thelma Duncan, George “Buddy” Simons and Betty Sue Brown.
Paul is survived by his children Mark (Sally) Simons, Carmie (Rick) Godan, Julie (Jeff) McHenry, Jina (Kurt) Simmons; grandchildren Casie (Nick) Starnes, Anne Simons, Jordan (Chuck) Ramey, Joey Simmons, Klay (Angela) Simmons, Jenna (Aaron) Warren; great grandchildren Cole and Dane Starnes, Blake and Brynleigh Warren and Kaelyn Ramey.
A Celebration of Paul’s life will be Friday, August 18, 2023, at 12:00 PM at O’Riley Branson Funeral Service and Crematory, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46227. There will be a visitation for family and friends from 10:00 until service time. Entombment will follow at Washington Park East Cemetery.
Please visit www.OrileyBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Paul the 'handyman' Always there to help your neighbor out. You were great friend!! I’ll miss taking to you every day.
Rest in Heaven With your Love Jo again. Love you!! Cookie Williams
To the family I am very sorry for your loss. Prayers for you during this time. I worked with Paul at MCSD. He was a pleasure to work with. Very good officer, pleasure to work with. He will be missed by thee old guy at MCSD. RIP Paul
Paul had a very productive law enforcement career. He was an experienced and very gifted detective who worked many difficult and high-profile cases during his time in detectives. Paul used his southern charm and trace of Southern drawl effectively to convince witnesses to testify and suspects to confess. He could turn on the charm when necessary and conversely be the opposite as needed, all to resolve a case. He was also an exceptional marksman, and I will never forget seeing him on the range using a nail apron to hold ammunition! Paul was shining star for the Marion County Sheriff’s Department – a professional who took great interest in his cases to provide justice to victims and families. His legacy paved the way and benefitted many detectives who followed him, and it was great to see some of his family follow him in law enforcement. To Carmie, Julie and Jeff, and the entire family, Paul was such an icon in my career and such a great person to be around. My sincere condolences.
Mark Simons and Sally Boniece has purchased Loving Embrace for Paul Simons
My Uncle Paul has left me ALOT of great memories. As a little kid, his laugh, deep voice and the smell of his cigars. The adults would gather every weekend to play cards and party. They had many years of fun together !! As an adult, it was great fun for me too! Uncle Paul was awesome at pitching horseshoes at our family reunion tournaments. He taught me his skills and i took a trophy or two over the years. He would cheer me on and tell me he was proud of me. But….. I was so proud of him!!! I would brag to people about my Uncle Paul being a big time “law man” and how brave he was. We all know, behind his tough exterior, he was a soft teddy bear! Always ready to protect and serve!!!! I will sure miss his voice and texts. He was my last living Uncle. Very blessed to have had him for so long! R.I.P. with Jo and ALL our departed loving family. Your loving niece Vickie from Tennessee
Paul was a wonderful friend to me and my family. He made sure to take good care of his family. Especially of his wife, Crazy Jo. He always had a joke and a smile. Hard to write what a friend he was and what a wonderful difference he made in our lives. With a heavy heart, Mark and Rebekah Lewis
Paul and his son Mark
Simons kids together again
Travis and Sarah Medina has purchased Treasured Memories Floor Basket – Blue for Paul Simons
We sure missed your Dad when he moved north to a place where he would have more social activity. He was so lonely after he lost your Mom. He was a pleasure to work with as a Trustee and a Receptionist at Old Bethel UMC. Blessings, Sue Epps