WHO WE ARE
Honoring a Legacy
Final Exodus is the culmination of many years of dedication, wisdom, and generosity from its founder, William (Bill) Simmons. As Bill celebrates his 90th year, stewardship of this website has been entrusted to Grant Affleck, who is committed to preserving Bill’s vision and carrying on his work.
It is an honor and privilege for Grant Affleck to serve as the new steward of Final Exodus. He is committed to preserving this resource with the same spirit of integrity, compassion, and respect that has guided it from the beginning, ensuring that Bill’s invaluable work continues to serve individuals and families for years to come.
About Grant Affleck
Grant Affleck is a dedicated volunteer and advocate for individuals navigating end-of-life decisions. He serves as a trauma interventionist for law enforcement agencies, providing compassionate support to individuals and families following the death of a loved one. For more than a decade, Grant has also volunteered in hospice, offering comfort, companionship, and support to patients and their families.
As an active volunteer with End of Life Choices California (EOLCCA), Grant presents educational programs to community organizations, helps train volunteer teams, and supports individuals and families as they navigate end-of-life planning and the process of medical aid in dying. His commitment is to ensure that every person he serves feels respected, informed, and supported throughout this deeply personal journey.
About Pat Fisher
Pat Fisher, affectionately known as ‘Dr. Internet,’ has provided both technical expertise and thoughtful guidance to Final Exodus for many years and continues to support its mission.
As a teenager, Pat was profoundly affected by the landmark Karen Ann Quinlan case in 1975. Seeing a young woman sustained indefinitely by life-support technology—and witnessing the legal struggle her parents faced to honor what they believed would have been her wishes—left a lasting impression. When the New Jersey Supreme Court ultimately permitted Karen’s ventilator to be removed, she continued living for nearly nine more years, forever shaping Pat’s understanding of end-of-life decision-making.
That experience inspired a lifelong commitment to the right of individuals to make informed choices about their own care and to die with dignity. She brings that passion, wisdom, and dedication to the continuing care of this website.
Bill's Story
Bill’s original voice and background remain the bedrock of this platform, and visitors are invited to read his story exactly as he wrote it.
“This website is presented by William (Bill) Simmons, a California attorney.
Several years ago Bill became interested in end-of-life issues because, as a lawyer, he thought everyone needed an advance health care directive (living will with durable power of attorney). He quickly learned that legal directives are not the most important. What are important are family discussions, hopefully preceded by some thinking and preparation, as set forth in the planning section of this website.
Bill has been a patient volunteer with San Diego Hospice and Scripps Hospital Hospice. The advance health care directive was prepared for and in conjunction with San Diego Hospice, before its demise in 2012. The material here is strictly his own, based on extensive reading and conversations with doctors, nurses, and other health care professionals.
Bill obtained a B.A. in music composition from Grinnell College, Grinnell Iowa (1958), and a J.D. from Hastings College of Law, San Francisco, California (1964). In the 1970s he was the director of the California agency limiting smog from vehicles. In the 1980s and 90s he was a real estate broker with 70 agents. He used to backpack in the Sierra Nevada and now enjoys hiking the 40 trails in his San Diego community.”
In honor of Bill Simmons and the legacy he created, the work continues.
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Neither Grant nor Bill receives remuneration from this website. Their desire is to distribute information as widely as possible so that people understand their options when it comes to dying today and do the planning for the end of their lives. The two advance directive forms presented are not copyrighted. If you publish or distribute either one, attribution to Grant Affleck, Bill Simmons and FinalExodus.org will be appreciated.