Mr. Willie Lee Sims, Sr., 89, died on Friday, June 22, 2018, in Quanah.

Willie Lee was born on March 22, 1929, in Crowell, Texas, to Rev. W.S. and Dalma Doris (King) Sims. He and Leola Kathleen Phifer were married on May 31, 1949 in Quanah. Mr. Sims grew up in Chillicothe, Texas, and was a member of Macedonia Baptist Church.  In 2009, he retired from the Quanah Independent School District, after 30 years of service.  He was a rancher and farmer, and continued to do that until shortly before his death.

Willie Lee is survived by his wife, Leola, of the home; 2 sons: Willie Lee Sims, Jr., and wife Lanetta of Celina, Texas, and Paul Ray Sims of Vernon; 6 daughters: Dorothy Sims Smith of The Colony, Texas, Glenda (Gregory) Jones of Lansing, Michigan, Elois Kline of Lansing, Michigan, Evelyn Sims-Rowe of Garland, Texas, Paula Sims Davis of Lansing, Michigan, and LaFonda Walton of Lansing, Michigan; 20 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren; 3 brothers: Freddie and Janice Sims of Amarillo, Texas, Ernest Sims of Arlington, Texas, Clark and Carol Sims of Amarillo, Texas; and 1 sister: Mary Lou Gates of Lewisville, Texas.

Mr. Sims was preceded in death by a son, Tony Edwin Sims; a daughter, Vickie Lynn Sims; and a grandson, Roderick D. Sims.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, June 30, 2018, with Family Hour beginning at 1:00 p.m., at the First Baptist Church in Quanah. Officiating will be his grandson, Elder Kevin L. Sims, and Pastor Ricky L. McGee.  Interment will follow at Quanah Memorial Park under direction of Smith Funeral Home.