Reverend Willie Sims

Reverend Willie James Sims was born on July 18, 1927, in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late Roosevelt Walton and Mary Sims. He departed this life on June 13, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky.

Willie was educated in the Birmingham school system. On November 27, 1947, he married Louvenia Clad in Birmingham, Alabama. They were united in marriage for 67 years, and from this union, six children were born.

He attended barbering school and served as a chef in the U.S. Army during World War II, receiving an honorable discharge. Following his military service, he studied at the College of Scriptures and was later ordained as a minister of he Gospel of Jesus Christ. Reverend Sims faithfully pastored Midway Christian Church in Midway, Kentucky, for many years and also pastored churches throughout Kentucky and in Cleveland, Ohio.

Professionally, he worked as a supervisor at American Standard and served as chief steward of the union. In this role, he courageously filed a complaint that brought an end to segregation practices at the facility-a bold and historic action that earned him the esteemed title of Kentucky Colonel, the highest honor awarded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Later in life, Reverend Sims worked for Senator Mitch McConnell at the Jefferson County Department of Human Services in Juvenile Corrections and Behavioral Management. He was a devoted civil rights advocate who marched alongside Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Revered Charles Elliott, and Dick Gregory.

Revered Sims was preceded in death by his father, Roosevelt Walton; mother, Mary Sims; wife, Reverend Louvenia Sims; and daughter, Mary Ann Hutson.

He leaves to cherish his memory siblings, Roosevelt Perry and Ira (Dora) Sims; children, Regina J. (James) Morris, Billy C. (Miriam) Sims, Reverend Barbara L. Sparrow, Evangelist Donna D. (Rev. Dr. George A. Todd, Jr.) Todd, and loving son-in-law, Willie Hutson; grandchildren, Christopher Morris, Nikita (AJ) Lingenfelter, Nkrumah (Emily) Hutson, Ashlee (Paul) Walker, Chadwick (Shantia) Frazier, Kenya Sims, Paris Sims, Joel Sims, Regan Sims, Cecilee Mathieson, and Benjamin Bonsu; great-grandchildren, Noah Hutson, Oliver Hutson, Ashley Frazier, Shianti Frazier, Violet Lingenfelter, Raelyn Lingenfelter, Paul Walker, Jr., Austin Walker, Harper Walker, Juliana Clement, Amaya Sims; fur babies, Sable and Harper. He also leaves behind a host of extended family members, friends, and all who were touched by his powerful ministry and enduring legacy.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, June 25, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at Newcomer Cremations, Funerals & Receptions, Southwest Louisville Chapel, 10304 Dixie Highway. A Celebration of his life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home with burial to follow at Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Louisville, Kentucky.