William Sims

~~Racine-Mr. William Sims Jr., passed away in Racine, Wisconsin on Monday, June 8, 2015.
William was the eldest son of William and MaryAnn (nee: Hadley) Sims Sr.  He was born in Centralia, Illinois on March 3, 1931. During his time in Centralia, he attended Centralia High School, where he was a track star and he broke the record for the half mile and 220 races.  He was also a great basketball player. William served in the United States Air Force from 1949-1952, during the Korean War.  Once he was honorably discharged from the Air Force, he completed his high school education at Park High School in Racine, Wisconsin.
On February 22, 1952, William was united in marriage to Wilma Ada Laws in Phoenix, Arizona.  They returned to Racine in 1953, where they remained and raised their three sons; William III, Jimmy and Carnell.  He was married to Wilma for 44 years until the time of her death in 1996.
William was employed by American Motors/ Chrysler Corporation as a machinist for 32 years and he retired in 1988. 
He had a love for basketball and enjoyed competing and playing with his brother Morris.  William was also an avid pool player.  He loved the game so much that he opened his own pool hall.  He was a member of the YMCA and the Woodbridge Club.  His favorite pass time/hobby was spending hours in his CB room talking to truckers and people from all over the world.
Later in William’s adult life, he was baptized and a member of Lakeview Church of Christ, until the time of his sickness. He enjoyed the many duties he performed at his church.
William Sims Jr., age 84, departed this life on Monday, June 8, 2015.  He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Sims; his mother, MaryAnn Blythe; sons, William III and Carnell; sister, Sissy and his brother, Ronnie.
He leaves to cherish his memory, brothers, Morris (Delores) Sims Sr. of Racine, WI, Dr. Eugene (Yvonne) Sims of Grand Rapids, Michigan; Son, Jimmy (Maria) Sims of Racine; six grandchildren, Keontray Sims, Ryan Sims, Jimmy Sims Jr., Whitney Sims, Damien Sims and Jeremy Sims; nieces, Deborah (Duane) McClain, Carolyn (Rodney) Settersten; special great niece, Kimberly Basma; nephews, Morris (Theresa) Sims Jr., Brian Sims and Gene (Christine) Sims as well as a host of other loving relatives and friends.
The family of William Sims Jr., would like to give a special thank you to Anne, Angie, Kathy, Chris, along with all of the other staff members at Oak Ridge Care Center. We appreciate all you’ve done for William over the years. Thank you so much for keeping him comfortable in his last days and being with him until he drew his last breath.
 A Celebration of his life will be held at Midtown Church of Christ, 1704 13th St., WI on Monday, June 15, 2015 at 11:00 am. Visitation will be at the church from 10am until the time of service.  Interment will follow in Graceland Cemetery. Please see Saturday’s paper and the funeral home website for his full obituary.