Willie Paul Sims, age 84, a resident of Columbia, passed away Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at Brookdale Assisted Living.

A graveside service was held on Friday, June 19, 2020 at 11 a.m. at Kittrell Cemetery in Summertown. Heritage Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.

Born on April 9, 1936 in Lewis County, Willie Paul was the son of the late Bob Taylor Sims and the late Albrintha Bennett Sims. He served his country in the Tennessee National Guard for twenty-nine years, worked as a truck driver and retired from the TVA. He enjoyed fishing and spending time with his grandson.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughter, Bethany Dowden of Columbia; grandson, Bennett Dowden of Columbia; brothers, Billy Ray (Kathy) Sims, Charles (Jenetta) Sims and Johnny Ray Sims, all of Hohenwald; and sisters, Dianne (Bobby) Daniels of Columbia and Frances Giddeons of Florida.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, James Gordon “J.G.” Sims, Clovis Sims and Lawrence Sims.