William Bill Edward Sims was born to John and Ethel Sims on Oct. 30, 1930 in Lamar, Colo. Bill grew up in Lamar with his parents, younger brother Lloyd and younger sister Welda Lee. In 1954, Bill and Alta Ward were married. The couple had five sons and one daughter together.

In 1963 Bill began driving a semi-truck for Earl Greyer, hence began many years on the road, driving many miles and meeting new faces along the way. After driving for Earl Geyer for six years, Bill started driving for Heath and Turpin in 1969 and also drove for Reyher Enterprise in McClave, Colorado. Bill moved to Eads, Colo. in 1982 and began driving for Permium Oil, finishing his driving career. Bill finally retired in 1997 after working for Larry Michaels Truck Stop as a mechanic.


Bill drove many miles and made close relationships with the owners he worked for and other drivers. He was dedicated to his job, driving for long periods of time, sometimes days at a time. He was an honest man and the companies he drove for respected that and could always count on him to get the job done.


Family was always his number one priority putting the needs of his family before his own. Bill gave advice when asked, comfort and support when needed and was sometimes brutally honest when necessary. He was a man of his word and never denied a family or friend a helping hand. Spending time with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren was always a joy for Bill. The cheerful collection of 22 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren always kept Bill smiling.

He enjoyed the simple things in life such as reading western books, long drives appreciating the countryside, going for walks and merely talking and laughing with people. His trips to Alaska were also close to his heart. He could tell a million stories about Alaska each with great detail and always did so with a twinkle in his eye.


Bill spent a short time at the Prairie Pines Assisted Living Center in Eads enjoying his time there and appreciating their kindness.

He passed away peacefully on Nov. 19, 2007 at the Aspen Living Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m., Nov. 26 at Brown Funeral Home in Eads. Interment was at the Fairmont Cemetery in Lamar and a dinner followed at the Eads courthouse provided by people within the Eads community.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents John and Ethel Sims, sister Welda Lee, grandson George Theil and nephew Wayne Sims.


He is survived and loved by brother, Lloyd (Marjory) Sims of Montrose, Colo., aunts, Ruth Snider and Goldie Harrison, nephews, Don Sims, Gene Sims and Mikel Sims, niece, Tinker Sims, son, John (Linda) Sims of Fairbanks, Alaska, son, Jerry (Duone) Sims of Pueblo, Colo., son, Michael Sims (Chrystal) Sims of Lakin, Kan., son, James (Anita) Sims of Garden City, Kan., daughter, Julie (Pat) Thompson of Lamar, Colo., son, Eddie Sims of Garden City, Kan., grandsons, Joshua (Trish) Sims, Jacob (Alicia) Sims, Heath Sims, Cambron Sims, Corey Sims, Dustin (Tina) Sims, R.C. (Roxanne) Sims, Rhyker Sims, Justin Sims, Kyle Thompson and Jeremiah Sims, granddaughters, Sally (Roy) Kortus, Becky (Paul) Hunnicutt, Dani Sims, Keisha (Kevie) Durham, Nicole Vigil, Amber Sims, Causha Sims, Brandi Sims, Lindsay (Lance) Yoxsimer, Ashley Dieterle, and Bethany Dieterle, great-grandchildren, Zach, Ben and Daniel Kortus, Ashley and Kristlyn Hunnicutt, Shane Sims, Marissa and Cheyenne Sims, Josie Sims, Faith Sims, Robert Sims, Kevi, Malik, Tyshaun and Tauja Durham, Kylee Jo Smith, and Samuel and Malea Yoxsimer.

Even though Bills physical being has left, his spirit lives on within the lives and hearts of those who love him. His honest character and devoted heart has touched many lives and he will not be forgotten.