William Herbert Simonton, 89, was born February 8, 1925, to William and Ada Simonton, and passed away on June 25, 2014 in his son’s home in Pasadena, Texas. He graduated from Orange High School and studied at Rice University before going to the South Pacific to serve in the navy during World War II. He worked over 35 years at DuPont in Orange before retiring. Herb became a Christian when he was 11 and was a member of North Orange Baptist Church in Orange for over 60 years. He was a Master Mason in the Masonic Lodge in Orange for more than 50 years. Herb was preceded in death by his father and mother, his first wife Joy Byrd Simonton, his second wife Pearline Faulk Simonton, his son Steven Simonton, and his daughter-in-law Carol Simonton. He is survived by his daughter Karen Steck and her husband, John of College Station; his son, James Simonton and his wife Diana of Pasadena; his sister Helen Marsh of Keller; his grandchildren Scott Simonton of Humble, Jennifer Kirik and her husband Vyacheslav Kirik of Humble, Patrick Steck and his wife Kristin of San Antonio, Christopher Simonton of Waco, and Lauren Simonton of San Antonio.

A gathering of Herb's family and friends will begin at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, June 28, 2014 at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange. His funeral service will follow at 2:00 p.m., with Reverend Lynn Ashcraft officiating. Burial will be at Orange Forest Lawn Cemetery in West Orange.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Orange Baptist Church at 4775 16th St. Orange, TX 77632, or the Salvation Army in Orange at 1950 Martin Luther King Jr Dr., Orange, TX 77630.