BILL SIMONS holds a family photo showing him, his wife Louella and their son Shane.

Simons is recovering from injuries with the help of friends and prayer

You don't really know how many friends you've got until you need them, says Bill Simons — and he has found out.

Simons said he's had a tremendous response of help and prayers from family, friends, neighbors and even people he doesn't know since an accident on Jan. 24.

A wind-blown tree landed on the pickup he and his wife were traveling in, killing Louella Simons and critically injuring him. He is out of the hospital now and recuperating at his home on Mount Carmel Road.

People have been there to meet every need, he said recently, making donations, running errands, helping him at home, visiting in the hospital, or anything else he and his son Shane might need. Many have called and come by, many have simply offered a prayer.

"All my family, friends and neighbors are helping out," he said. "I've lived in this neighborhood 20 some years and got to know a lot of people over the years.

"A lot of people I don't even know are helping me. I just can't thank everyone enough for all they have done," he said.

Simons said he plans to send out thank you notes soon but he doesn't have all the addresses he needs. Some people were friends of friends, or unknown people who offered a prayer or donation, he said.

Simons wears a neck brace and with the help of a walker moves short distances around his house. He hopes to be back outdoors before warm weather is over, but he says that's in the Lord's hands.

On a blustery Saturday, Simons and his wife Louella went to Wal-Mart in West Jefferson. That's what people tell him anyway; he doesn't remember. A gust of wind knocked a tree onto their pickup as they headed north on N.C. 16 north of Jefferson.

"When I came back from West Jefferson I'd done gone by the tree. It hit me from the back and came across the truck," he said.

It was timing of devastating proportions. But Simons said he doesn't call it a freak accident.

"The Lord doesn't make accidents like that, freak accidents. It was my wife's time to go, just not mine," he said.

"She was saved so I know where she's at. She was ready to go." He loves and misses her, but he would not bring her back to this life, he said.

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