William A. "Bill" Sims Jr.

"Bill"

Mr. Sims, 80, of Matthews, NC, passed away June 19, 2013, at Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Southminster in Charlotte. Born June 27, 1932 in Muskogee, OK, he was the son of the late William A. Sims and Dorothy Smith Sims.

Bill graduated from Greenwood, MS, High School in 1950. After receiving two degrees, Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Management, he graduated from Mississippi State University in 1955. Bill joined General Electric Company’s Apparatus Engineering Training Program in 1955. Starting in 1957, he worked his way through many Sales Engineering/Management assignments. Leaving after 25 years with GE, Bill joined Associated Engineering Company as National Sales Manager, retiring in 1993. He enjoyed his many successful experiences in selling electrical equipment throughout the United States. Bill was a member of IEEE, SAE and MSU Alumni.

In 1965, Bill married Ruth Helm O’Brien. She preceded him in death in 1994. He was also predeceased by his step-sons, Michael O’Brien, who died in 1969, and Jake Allen O’Brien, who died in 2008.

In 1995, he married Betty Helms Sims, who survives him. They enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the United States and the world.

In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by step-son, Patrick O’Brien and wife, Debbie, of Springfield, TN; step-daughters, Kevin O’Brien Conway and husband, Chip, of Alpharetta, GA, and Jan Helms Brown and husband, Bob, of Charlotte; 15 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

A memorial service to celebrate Bill’s life will be held 3:00 P.M. Sunday, June 23, 2013, at McEwen Funeral Service-Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road in Mint Hill. The Reverend Judi Hunt will officiate. The family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Matthews United Methodist Church, 801 South Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105, TN Engineering Center, 800 Fort Negley Boulevard, Nashville, TN 37203, or IEEE Foundation PES Scholarship Fund, 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854.

Condolences may be offered at www.mcewenminthillchapel.com.