William Ralph Sims

William Ralph (Bill) Sims passed away on October 11, 2025. He was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on March 21, 1939, to Mac W Sims and Carrie Brenna Rappleye Sims. He was the oldest of five children. They moved to Holladay, Utah when he was 14 years old.

Bill contracted polio at the age of six. Fortunately, he didn't experience lasting effects until much later in life. He graduated from Olympus High School in 1957 and later served as a missionary in the Houston, Texas mission.

He married Gaylene Rosenberg on September 13, 1961, in the Salt Lake Temple. They lived in West Valley City, where they raised four children, William (Bill), Doug, Layne, and Andriel. He and Gaylene divorced in 1995.

He married Jetta Houskeeper on June 8, 1996. They have been married for 29 years. He was a loving grandfather to Jetta's family as well as his own.

Bill worked as a school bus driver for over 30 years, most of that time serving children with special needs. He was a longtime member of the Olympus Male Chorus and loved meeting people -- he could always find something to talk about. He had a joke for every occasion, usually "dad jokes" that brought both smiles and groans. His memory was remarkable; he could recall names, dates, places, and countless details from his life.

He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He loved missionary work and sharing gospel messages. He served as a Stake Seventy for many years and spent more than 25 years as an addiction recovery missionary, continuing to support others even after his formal release.

Bill is survived by his wife, Jetta; his children Doug (Connie) Sims, Layne (Melony) Sims, and Andriel (Jon) Hubbard; his siblings Don (Karen) Sims and Lynette (Charles) Shipp; and Jetta's children Ron (Sherrie) Larsen, Barbara Ray, Debbie (Joel) Crawford, and Sherrie (John) Abbott. He also leaves behind numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mac and Brenna; siblings Rodney Sims and Lorraine Sims; his first wife, Gaylene Rosenberg; his eldest son, Bill; and stepsons Ed and Russell Larsen.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Rocky Mountain Hunter Hollow, Legacy House of Taylorsville, Ability Hospice, and the members of the Jordan North 1st Ward for their compassionate care and support.

Funeral Services will be held Saturday, October 18, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at the Jordan North 1st Ward, 3900 South 4000 West. Viewings will be  held Friday, October 17, 6-8:00 p.m. and again Saturday morning 10-10:45 a.m. also at the church building.

 Interment, Murray City Cemetery, 5490 South Vine Street, Murry City, Utah.  

For those who wish to view services remotely:  https://zoom.us/j/94875273373?pwd=utaSDbk3t5kHexyMv71qu3O6bDizHS.1