Richard W. Sims III

SIMS, Richard “Dick” Wallace, 87, of Brandon, Florida passed away on Monday, November 15, 2010. He was born September 10, 1923, in Parkersburg, West Virginia, to Richard W. and Goldie Williams Sims and resided there until enlisting in the U.S. Army in February 1942. He participated in the Normandy, Holland, Bastogne and Southern Germany campaigns, jumped in Holland on D-Day and was there on Purple Heart Lane. After World War II, he served in Panama, Tampa, Florida, England, Fort Bliss, Texas, McGregor Range, New Mexico, and Korea, retiring in 1969 as a Master Sergeant E8. During his 27 year service record, he received 25 decorations and awards and nine foreign awards and earned a Bachelor of Business Degree at the University of Texas at El Paso. After his retirement, he traveled extensively to the Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, North and South Africa, Brazil, Mexico, Canada and all of the beautiful United States including Hawaii. He was a life member of the 101st Airborne Division Association and life member and Past Commander of the Disabled American Veterans. Dick was a man of integrity and character, respected by all who knew him. He was also a man of much knowledge of our country and will be more than greatly missed. He was predeceased by his sister, Margaret Barry. Survivors include his wife, Violet Sims, two stepdaughters, Sandra Stamey and Terri Shelburn, and brother-in-law Ellsworth Barry. A funeral honoring his memory will take place at 1:30 p.m., Friday, November 19, 2010 at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida with full military honors. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Disabled American Veterans.