Paul Simmons

Upbringing
Paul was born in Tampa, Florida and attended school in Hillsborough County. He spent every summer on the Brighton Seminole Indian Reservation with different folks there. He lived mostly in Lithia Pinecrest on the Alafia River and was raised by his mother Susan Simmons who is still with us. His father Billy Simmons passed away in 2000

Professional Life
In 1982, the Seminole Tribe of Florida acquired land in Tampa and built a Seminole Village. Paul went to work helping build that village. After the village was completed, there was only one job opening - and it was alligator wrestling/handling. With no other job prospects in sight, he eagerly took the job and was taught by James Billie (former Chairman of the Seminole Tribe) how to handle an alligator. Along with that job he also had to learn how to handle venomous snakes and perform shows. Paul worked there until 1987. At that time, the Tribe was reopening its original tourist village in Hollywood, Florida and asked him to come and wrestle alligators there. He accepted the job and arrived there to find that it was deep water alligator wrestling and therefore had to learn new skills.
                                                                                    
After the Tribe closed that village, Paul went across the street to work for the Native Village until 1992. At that time, he was asked by a former Chairman of the Seminole Tribe to join him in building and operating Billie Swamp Safari. Duties there included alligator wrestling/handling, snake handling and guiding tours.

At this time, Paul is semi-retired from alligator wrestling/handling, but still continues to work for the Seminole Tribe of Florida.

Personal Life
Paul is married and has a daughter.  He likes to be in the woods hunting, fishing, or just watching nature happen.