Major George Wilson Sims Jr. (Retired)

George W. “Butch” Sims, Jr. was raised in Atlanta, GA, playing trumpet in the band at Brown High School before moving to Augusta, GA where he graduated early from Richmond Academy in 1956. After earning his Private Pilot License, he joined the U.S. Marines and attended Southern Tech in Atlanta before earning his wings of gold at the U.S. Naval Flight School in Pensacola, FL in 1959. He married Eugenia Carlton, also from Atlanta, later that year. 

Butch had a distinguished 23-year career in the Marines, with two
tours in Vietnam and a Bronze Star for valor. After graduating with a BA from
George Washington University, he took the whole family for a 30-month tour in
Iwakuni, Japan. When he retired, his second career was with General Telephone
for 15 more years, completing an MBA degree at night, and retiring in Dalton,
GA. An avid golfer, hunter and fisherman, he instilled values of education,
fiscal conservatism and enjoyment of the outdoors in his family. After moving
again to North Carolina, he began woodcarving, which soon became a passion.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years; his sons Richard in
Atlanta, GA and Hank in Eclectic, AL; and sister Carolyn in Auburn, AL.

Though weakened by surgery, chemotherapy and recurring cancer, he
maintained his sense of humor, his honor and concern for his family to the very
end. 

Services will be held at Arlington National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the American Cancer
Society or Spartanburg First Baptist Church. 

Sanders Funeral Home of Columbus, NC.

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