Clifford William Sims of Moore County, TN, passed away on July 4th, 2024, surrounded by family, at the age of 85.
Clifford was born to William Wheeler Sims and Estelle Wall Sims on April 6, 1939. He grew up in Trussville, AL and attended Sulphur Springs Baptist Church where he was baptized as a young man. He attended Hewitt Trussville High School. Cliff joined the Marine Corps in 1957 and then attended Austin Peay State College on a football scholarship. He was selected in 1961 as a player on the All-Volunteer State Athletic Conference Team. He earned his undergraduate and master’s degrees in education. Coach Sims was employed by Huntsville City Schools. He coached football and wrestling and taught history and driver’s education. He was 1975 head coach at Huntsville High. He went on to coach football at Butler High until his retirement. He was known as a fun and inspirational teacher/coach who genuinely cared for his students.
Cliff married Nancy Hill Whatley in 1972. They were married 51 years and had a daughter, Rachael.
After he retired, Cliff farmed, started Sims Driving School, and worked in the Gulf of Mexico onboard an offshore drilling rig.
Survivors include stepdaughters, Amanda Whatley Saile (Jeff) of Dallas, TX, and Jennie Whatley of Florida; granddaughter, Elizabeth Saile; sisters, Mable Norris (Manley) of Eldridge, AL, and Patsy Sims Williams of Trussville, AL; sister-in-law, Shirley Sims; and many nieces and nephews.
He was proceeded in death by his wife, Nancy Hill Sims; daughter, Rachael Sims; and brother, Victor Earl Sims.
Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. A graveside service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday at Maple Hill Cemetery with Ken Norris (Cliff’s Nephew) officiating. Pallbearers will be Jeff Saile, Lynn Smith, Mickey Smith, Bill Tatum, Wayne Wolfe, and Tighe Owen.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Monocle Society at Austin Peay State University (letsgopeay.com).
