C. William (Bill) Simmons '58
Alumni Award
A liberal arts education gives its graduates a broad foundation from which to pursue their goals. Through his diverse career and volunteer achievements, C. William (Bill) Simmons '58 epitomizes the spirit of the liberal arts.
As a student, Simmons participated in band, men's government, and varsity swimming. He earned a degree in music composition from Grinnell and a J.D. from the University of California.
After several years as a lawyer, Simmons combined his passion for law and the environment. He spent more than a decade fighting for cleaner air through government agencies in California. His work helped prompt the installation of catalytic converters to reduce auto emissions. He was also responsible for guidelines requiring service stations to recover gasoline vapors, now a standard practice in many states.
For more than 15 years, he was a residential real estate broker in San Diego. He built his franchise from a two-person operation to a business with 80 agents. He sold his business, presciently, in 2003. Currently, he has a limited real estate law practice, settling disputes among buyers, sellers, and brokers.
Simmons has been a generous volunteer for many environmental organizations. His pro bono legal expertise helped protect nearly 3,000 acres of land for the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. He has served as chair of the San Francisco Bay Chapter of the Sierra Club.
For embodying the ideals of a Grinnell education, we are pleased to honor C. William Simmons '58.
