Edna Wilma Simons

Edna Wilma Simons Sharp was an American vaudeville dancer and light opera star of the 1920s who turned into a successful businesswoman. By 1950, she owned and operated a chain of 31 theaters in the western United States. The Wilma Theatre in Missoula, Montana, is named after her. Edna Wilma Simons died on July 25, 1954, at the age of 59.

Edna Wilma was born in Collinsville, Kentucky in 1895. She met her first husband, William A. Simons, while performing in one of his shows in Idaho. The couple married in 1921, just after Simons had completed construction on his newest Montana theater. He named it The Wilma after his bride, it was formerly called the Snead-Simons building. Following the wedding, the Simonses traveled the Northwest, putting on Wild West shows as a way to bring a rugged Montana culture to the cities of Idaho and Oregon. They built a home in Wallace, Idaho. However after suffering a stroke they maintained residences in Lolo Hot Springs, MT. They would travel by horse and wagon, this voyage required them cross the river some 27 times. Edna took Billy there for the warm sulpher springs water that was believed to help with stroke related injuries. They also maintained a large apartment at the Wilma Building during those times as well. Edna continued to live in this apartment. She married Edward Sharp in New York in 1950. They together maintained the W.A. Simons Amusement Company until her death in 1954.

After her 1st husband's death, She continued managing her business ventures, she continued singing and performing there, holding large parties and events in the spacious dining room of the Wilma. On Nov. 3, 1950, she married her second husband, Edward Sharp, who was nearly 21 years younger than she. They shared a love of music, as he was a pianist and vocalist. They made several recordings together of which David B. Keith was given these to ensure they would be saved for historical reference. They wed in New York City's historic Little Church Around The Corner The couple traveled around New York to gather decoration ideas for remodeling the Wilma Theatre. The Chapel of the Dove, a mirror image of the chapel where their wedding had taken place.

Near the end of her life, Edna Wilma Simons Sharp still was an active member of the community, volunteering for Red Cross, staying an avid member of the Episcopal Church and serving on numerous bond and relief drives. She died in her bed in the arms of Edward on July 25, 1954, leaving the business to Sharp and hefty contributions to the Shodair Children's Hospital in Helena, Montana.

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