Wiley O. Sims

Wiley O. Sims, age 89, of Marietta, GA, passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 3, 2017 after a short illness at Tranquility Hospice in Marietta, GA.

Mr. Sims was born on July 12, 1928 of the late Wiley Harrison Sims and the late Abby Meeks Sims in Birmingham, Alabama He was raised in Vero Beach, Florida, and after high school, Wiley went on to attend the University of Florida, graduating with a BS degree in Agriculture. A lifelong Gator football fan, Wiley was nonetheless heard to remark after a disappointing Florida season, “Same old Gators…” His patience and faithfulness was rewarded in 1996, 2006, and 2008, when Florida won the National Championship.

After graduation, Wiley went to work for Winn-Dixie in Jacksonville, Florida, where he met Susie Helen Lee of Hoboken, Georgia, and within a short time the two were married. Wiley spent three years active duty in the United States Air Force, and went to work for Kraft Foods upon his honorable discharge. He also served 21 years in the Air National Guard, and retiring, having attained the rank of major.

His career with Kraft Foods kept the young family on the move, taking them to many places, primarily in north Florida and south Georgia. A devoted family man, and tireless provider, Wiley nevertheless found time to involve himself in many extracurricular activities including active involvement in all of his children’s activities, never once missing a game or a performance. He also was active in church, serving as Sunday School teacher and deacon as well as in other capacities. After retiring from Kraft Foods, Wiley and Susie moved to be near their daughters in Marietta, Georgia.

Wiley was known to others for his unfailing wit and sense of humor and strong sense of integrity. He instilled these traits in his children and lived his life as according to Galatians chapter 5 - exercising the fruits of the spirit through works of the flesh. He was seldom idle, always looking for some task that needed to be accomplished, often engaging himself in yard work, woodworking, or some other hobby that would catch his active imagination.

Wiley is survived by his wife of 65 years, Susie Lee Sims; their son Wiley Keith Sims and wife Kam of Tampa, Florida,; son Lindsay Wade Sims and wife Kay of Tampa, daughter Susan Sims Marshall and husband Greg of Kennesaw, Georgia, and daughter Julia Lee Harris and husband Gary of Marietta, Georgia, as well as eleven grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Funeral Services will be held 3pm Thursday in the Chapel of West Cobb Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Cheatham Hill Memorial Park in Marietta. The family will receive friends Thursday from 2pm until the time of service.

The family requests that those wishing to make donations in lieu of flowers may do so by contributing to Samaritans Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607