William Earl Sims

William Earl Sims died at home on August 25, 2008. Bill died after a year long struggle to overcome the catastrophic results of extensive injuries sustained while he was a patient at a local hospital. Bill was born September 21, 1935 in Conway, Arkansas to Earl and Clara Smith Sims. He graduated from Little Rock Central High School in 1952, and received a scholarship to Little Rock Junior College. He received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts Degrees from the University of Arkansas. He taught English at Tennessee Tech, Georgia Tech, Georgia State and Midwestern University at Wichita Falls. He later taught American History at Austin Community College as a member of the adjunct faculty for 23 years. While he was in the Ph. D. history program at the University of Texas, he worked part time at Manpower Temporary Services, where he made several enduring friendships. He later became vice-president of the company. He also worked for Texas Workforce during the closing of Bergstrom Air Force Base and received a letter of commendation from Governor Ann Richards for his exemplary work. He worked for the state of Texas as a caseworker until his retirement. Bill's military service included a year of active duty with the Texas National Guard during the Berlin crisis. He served at Fort Polk which he considered as a hardship posting. This was before universal air conditioning. Bill came to Austin in 1963 to attend UT, and from that time forward, he considered Austin his home. He loved all things Austin, but remained a loyal and vociferous Razorback fan. He developed a taste for chicken fried steak, mexican food and Willie, Waylon, and the boys. He was also a lover of soul food, R&B, jazz, Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra. Most of all he loved to watch sports, especially college basketball, college football, and one of the high points of his life was watching the Chicago Cubs play at Wrigley Field. Bill loved politics and was a "yellow dog Democrat' of the first water. He could explain the intricacies of the electoral process so that it could be understood by anyone. He loved to read and his tastes were eclectic, ranging from history of every period as well as military history. He read nonfiction and fiction, including what he termed "escapist literature" (sci-fi, mysteries, alternative histories, etc.) It is fitting that his cremated remains will be inurned in a bronze book to be placed among his beloved library. Bill loved to travel and enjoyed many motor trips to visit friends all over the US. He also enjoyed train travel and took trips to California, Chicago, New York City, Baltimore, and Washington DC. In 2006, He and Janie embarked on the legendary Queen Elizabeth 2 for a 109 day world cruise celebrating their 25th wedding Anniversary. Bill was absolutely at home on the ship and enjoyed each and every minute of the voyage. Bill was predeceased by his parents and his younger brother, Larry Sims of Hot Springs, Arkansas. He is survived by his wife, Janie Milner Sims and his sons, David Wm.Sims and wife Jennifer, John Robert Kennedy Sims and his wife, Melia, George Milner and his wife Cathy of Dripping Springs, and Geoffrey Milner. He had one grandson, Christopher Milner. He is also survived by his cousin, Hyatt Holt and his wife Mary Lou of California. Special thanks to the many caregivers involved in his care since his accident, especially Drs David Fleeger, the staff at Hospital Internists of Austin, the staff at Capitol Nephrology, the Treatment staff at Gracy Woods I, the staff at 4 North at North Austin Medical Center, The staff at St. Davids ICU unit and their counterparts at NAMC, the dialysis nurses and techs, the staff at Accountable Aging for their care plan, the staff at BrightStar, especially those two super CNA's Craig and Mario, Dr. Ruben Tovar, and the staff of Girling Hospice, especially Cherie, who made everything so much easier. There are many more, including the clergy at All Saints Episcopal Church, where Bill was a member and Bill Connor a Grace Minister and friend, and last but not least, Phillip Walter, Bill's oldest friend in Austin. Should anyone wish to give to a memorial for Bill, the charities and organizations he supported were legion. The state and national Democratic parties can always use support, but if that sticks in your craw, Oxfam and Berea College were also his particular favorites. Please forgive any errors of typography, spelling, syntax and grammar, but my editor has left the building. Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2008 at All Saints Episcopal Church, 209 W. 27th St.