LTC Billy Gene Sims

LTC Billy Gene Sims, (age 87) Billy Gene Sims, husband, patriarch, homesteader, soldier, businessman, passed on March 4, 2017. Dreamer, pioneer, he met and fell in love with Edith Hammond at a USO dance in California. Bill and Edie embarked on 65 years of adventurous life. They raised a large, loud and loving family. Drafted into the U.S. Army he fought in the Korean War. He was a field artillery officer and master aviator who flew two Vietnam tours. He was awarded the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star for Valor and Purple Heart. Bill and Edie homesteaded in Kasilof, Alaska. For 40 years they owned Antiques 'n Old Stuff at multiple locations in Washington, D.C. , Chambersburg, PA and Brunswick, MD. He was an auctioneer and his motto for business and life was "Specializing in Making Folks Happy." As a founding member of Holy Family Catholic Community in Middletown, MD. he was a lector, greeter and founder of the annual church auction. He embraced those down-on-their-luck, hiring and counseling those in need -- including homeless, hitchhikers and people who wandered in off the street. Born in Brownsboro, TX on March 22, 1929, he was six when his mother died from gangrene. At 15, he left home, hitchhiking across the country, hopping trains, and courageously forging a life. He earned a GED, then a BA from U of MD. Survivors include Edith, of Alexandria, VA, six children: Billy M. (Gail) Sims, Hagerstown, MD; Marcus T. (Lourdes) Sims of Clarksville, MD; Vanessa Armstrong of Fort Defiance, VA; Monica Sims Crimmins (John Hannon), Diana Sims (Keith) Snider and John D. (Theresa) Sims, all of Alexandria, VA; grandchildren Benjamin Narduzzi; Gabriel (Anna) Narduzzi; Emily (Nick) Macedonia; Bess (Chad) Sussman; Nathaniel (Katelyn) Snider; Alexander Snider; William Snider; Samuel Snider; Annalisa Sims, Marcella Sims; Johnna Sims; Billy Gene Sims; and Nourah Barden; brother William Kenneth (Nefa) Sims, numerous "adopted" family members and lifelong friends. Visitation is 11 a.m. Saturday, March 11, 2017 at Holy Family Catholic Community, 7321 Burkittsville Road, Middletown, MD. Funeral Mass follows at 1p.m. Burial at Arlington National Cemetery to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his honor to The Society of St. Vincent de Paul at https://www.svdpusa.org/

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LTC Billy Gene Sims

March 22, 1929 - March 4, 2017