Willie Lee Simmons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Willie Lee Simmons
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| Commissioner for the Mississippi Transportation Commission for the Central District | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Dick Hall |
| Member of the Mississippi Senate from the 13th district | |
| In office January 5, 1993 – January 7, 2020 |
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| Preceded by | Robert Crook |
| Succeeded by | Sarita Simmons |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Willie Lee Simmons
March 21, 1947 Utica, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Rosie Sibley |
| Residence | Cleveland, Mississippi |
| Alma mater | Utica Junior College Alcorn State University (BS) Delta State University (EdS, MS) |
Willie Lee Simmons (born March 21, 1947) is an American politician. He currently serves as a Commissioner for the Mississippi Transportation Commission for the Central District. Before this, he was a member of the Mississippi State Senate for many years. He belongs to the Democratic Party.
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Early Life and Education
Willie Lee Simmons was born on March 21, 1947, in Utica, Mississippi. He attended Utica Junior College. Later, he went to Alcorn State University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in social science in 1967. He continued his studies at Delta State University, getting a master's degree in guidance and counseling. He also earned an Education Specialist degree in counseling and administration. Simmons served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
Political Career
Before becoming a senator, Willie Lee Simmons worked as a Deputy Commissioner for the Mississippi Department of Corrections. In 1975, he started a special program for inmates at the Mississippi State Penitentiary. This program helped people prepare for life after prison.
Simmons also worked as a visiting professor at Delta State University. He also worked for the U.S. Post Office.
Serving in the Mississippi Senate
As a Democrat, Simmons ran for the Mississippi State Senate in 1992. He ran against Senator Robert Crook for the 13th district. This district included Sunflower and Bolivar Counties. Simmons won the election, which was a big surprise because Crook had been in the legislature for a long time.
Simmons served in the Senate for 26 years. For eight of those years, he was the chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee. During his time in the Senate, he helped with many important projects. These included fixing the Woodrow Wilson Bridge in Jackson. He also helped upgrade and repair Highway 8 in Cleveland, Mississippi. Another big project was the Highway 82 Bypass in Leland, Mississippi. Under his leadership, about $5 billion was spent on improving highways and other important structures.
Transportation Commissioner
In January 2019, Simmons announced he would run for the Mississippi Transportation Commission. He wanted to represent the Central District. This happened after Dick Hall decided to retire from that position. Simmons won the election against Butch Lee. He was sworn into office in January 2020.
In 2023, he ran for re-election and won again. In 2024, he was named the chairman of the commission. His daughter, Sarita Simmons, is also a politician. She now represents the 13th district in the Mississippi Senate.
Personal Life
Willie Lee Simmons is married to Rose Sibley Simmons. They have four children together. One of their children is Senator Sarita Simmons.
References
