Willie "Cheese" Sims was born on July 21, 1953, in Waynesboro, Georgia the son of Marion Jr., and Hattie Mae Sims. Willie moved to Rockford in 1991 coming from California. He graduated from Waynesboro High School where he was an athlete playing football and basketball. Willie came from a big family. He was number five of twelve children, where he loved and was loved by his family. You could find him traveling around the country to the various Sims family reunions with his brothers. Willie had many talents and hobbies. Most notably, he had a gift for interior design, was a pretty good seamstress, and loved to fish. He never lost his southern upbringing; he was always respectful and kind to everyone he met. His favorite place to sit at his brother Marion's house was in the rocking chair. We will always remember him as he quietly and gently rocked during family and holiday dinners. He leaves to cherish: daughter Alicia (Terry) Mortley; two sons, Kanem (Jessica) Sims and Andre (Stephanie) Crawford; six grandchildren: and two great grandchildren; three sisters, Rosetta Luke; Sandra Priscilla (William) Mosley; and Deborah Brooks; Four brothers, Andrew (Emma) Sims, Marion (Dauphne) Sims, Vernon (Bridget) Sims and Frederick (Irene) Sims; sister in law, Mother Ernestine Sims a host of nieces, nephew's other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his parents; one grandson; four brothers, Bishop Donald L., Bobby, Lee Otis and Reginald Sims.