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, 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).
To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Clifford, please visit our Tree Store.
He was my driver's ed teacher. After I graduated I got a speeding ticket and went to traffic school. Guess who was the teacher? He was a nice, funny man. - Jennie Floyd
I was his student aide and he would send me to Krystal most days to get him breakfast! Yes, he was so much fun! - Laura Kilpatrick
He was as good an educator as he was a coach who shaped young men's lives. A true credit and the original "Bull”! - Bob Burkett
He had such a huge personality! So many memories of him especially in the locker room. I don’t think anyone would forget him as the Drives Ed. teacher. - Barry Looser ’75
Coach Sims was enjoyable to be around. I liked having him as a coach. - Jerry Tucker ’75
Had him as a teacher for World History. I remember him telling us the the Mongol Horde went over and “put the hurt” on the Europeans. Still laugh about that to this day. - David Bell ’75
He was hilarious in driver’s ed! A bright spot out in the trailers! - Christin Farrington ’77
He made Drivers Ed memorable. - Dorothy Harris ’77
One of my favorite teachers, fortunate he taught our sons to drive too. Christina Stephens ’77