Raymond Wesley “Wes” Simmons passed away on April 7, 2025, just days before his 83rd birthday. Born on April 15, 1942, in Mesa, he spent most of his life in Miami after moving there at a young age.
Wes is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Linda Sue; his daughter, Shelley (Jim Ham); his son, Ron (Tandra Higginbotham); granddaughter, Amanda (Wally Wilson); grandson, Nick; great-grandson, Colton Nichols; great-granddaughter, Krista; sister, Mary Davis (Jerry); brother, Larry (Eva); and many cherished nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Bill; brothers Duane and Rodney; and sister Norma Kidd.
Wes worked at Copper Cities and Pinto Valley before retiring as a heavy-duty maintenance mechanic. In later years, he and Sue relocated to Apache Junction.
Wes was known for his silly sense of humor and an ever-curious mind. He enjoyed hunting and sharing beers with friends. A true tinkerer at heart, he once converted a Volkswagen Bug into a sand rail and rebuilt Shelley’s wrecked Ford Pinto so she could continue driving it for years. His passion for electronics led him to build stereos and computers from scratch—not only for himself but also to help others keep theirs running. Self-taught in computer programming, Wes even built a miniature robot shortly before his passing.
He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him—for his inventive spirit, helpful nature, and especially for the bad jokes that never failed to bring a smile.
May his memory bring comfort to those who knew and loved him.
