William (Bill) Atticus Sims Iii

Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, “Capt. Bill” Sims, passed away on Thursday morning, December 19, 2024, family by his side, just two days shy of his 86th birthday. Despite battling several health issues in recent years, Bill maintained a Captain’s and father’s spirit until his final days!

William Atticus Sims, III was born December 21, 1938, in Atlanta, Georgia. His birth certificate reads simply, “Emory University, Georgia.”

He was more commonly known as Bill Sims or “Captain Bill,” and “Fishing” should have been his middle name… he was born with a love for fishing, and he seemed to know everything there is to know about fish and how to catch them, He was in sales most of his life, beginning with Sears, then his father’s company, Master Manufacturing, and then American Radio. Even though fishing was always on his mind, he was just as competitive in sales and always wanted to be number one,

Bill graduated from Grady High School in Atlanta in the Class of 1957. He attended North Georgia Military College in Dahlonega and Mercer College in Macon, finally graduating from Georgia State College in 1962.

He moved from Atlanta to the Florida Keys in the early 1980s and had a charter fishing business in Marathon for several years, just a stone’s throw from the original seven-mile-bridge. When he came back to Atlanta, he hosted a popular fishing show on Smyrna cable TV called “Fishing Fun with Capt. Bill.” Bill and his friend and camera man, Mike Mobley (now deceased), had many adventures filming footage for his TV show!

“Capt. Bill” loved nothing more than taking friends fishing. When he became unable to do that, two of his best buddies, Mike Bryan and Scott Fricker, spent time with him and helped him do as much as possible, and he was still “The Capt.”

Bill was also a wonderful, gregarious, and fascinating storyteller. Many of his aunts and uncles revered the days he would stop by with some photos and spend hours reminiscing with them and catching them up on his latest endeavors – fishing, family, and news of his children!

Bill was a member and loyal supporter of Mount Paran Church of God.

Bill was also a 32nd degree, 50-year, emeritus member of the Masonic Temple, Tucker Lodge #42. A member of the Supreme Council Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Southern Jurisdiction, USA, Valley of Atlanta, Orient of Georgia.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William A. Sims, Jr. and Mary Harvell Sims and his sister, Karen Sims Faggioni Solana (Terry); and his life-long friend, Fred Roach, who was like a brother to him.

Surviving Bill is his wife of 32 years, Gwen Waters Glenn Sims, of Atlanta, GA; one sister, Joan Sims Hill, of Roswell, GA; and three children: William A. Sims, IV (Rhea) of Cleveland, GA; Julie Sims Sanders of Marietta, GA; and Jennifer Sims Shaw (Jimmy) of Covington, GA; two sisters-in-law, Cynthia Waters Odum, Jesup, GA; Debbie Waters Hendrix (Rufus), Portal, GA. Two Nephews, Fred L. Hill, III (Page), Milton, GA and Tony Faggioni (Natalie), Navarre Beach, FL. Three Nieces, Beth Hill Connelly (Kevin), Roswell, GA, Mary Jane Hill, Jacksonville, FL, and Nicole Faggioni, Atlanta, GA

Bill is also survived by eight grandchildren – William A. Sims V of Stillwater, OK; Dr. Paul H. Sanders (Mallory) of Boston, MA; Andrew Sanders (Ariel) of Augusta, GA; Alan Bradley (Jamie) of Glen Oaks, NY; Ben Shaw (Nikki) of Covington, GA; Thomas Shaw (Holli) of Covington, GA; Faith Shaw Whitmire (Kevin) of Covington, GA; and Woodrow Shaw (Victoria) Covington, GA – by two stepchildren – Frank Glenn (Dana) of Flowery Branch, GA and Charlie Glenn of Santa Rosa Beach, FL – by four step-grandchildren – Thomas Glenn of Atlanta, GA; Joe Glenn of Atlanta, GA; Charlie H. Glenn of Salt Lake City, UT; and Tatum Glenn of Charleston, SC – and by twelve great grandchildren. Bill also has cousins, nieces, and nephews surviving him who he loved very much.

Our family is grateful to the dedicated staff at Delmar Gardens Smyrna and Compassus Hospice, Kennesaw, for the care they gave Bill in his final months and prior to that, Trinity Hospice, Acworth. Also, special thanks to a precious little dog named Sally, who came to see him every single day…. she truly brightened his days!

A memorial service and celebration of Bill’s life will be held in the chapel at Mount Paran Church, 2055 Mount Paran Rd NW, Atlanta, GA 30327 on Saturday, January 18, 2025 at 2:00 pm with visitation from 1:00-2:00 pm in the chapel foyer. For easy access to the chapel, park on the second level of the parking deck.

In memory of Bill, donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, Mount Paran Church, or any charity of your choice.