William E. “Burr” Sims, 80, of Festus died June 7, 2014, at Mercy Skilled Nursing in Creve Coeur. Mr. Sims was a retired teacher and coach at Festus High School, an Army veteran and a member of First United Methodist Church of Festus-Crystal City, the Elks Lodge No. 1721 and the Lions Club. He was born April 6, 1934, in Festus, the son of the late Emma A. (Wilburn) and Elzie Earl Sims.
He is survived by his wife: Mary (Gregory) Sims, a sister-in-law: Barbara (James) Hayes of southeast Missouri; a brother-in-law: Jesse Drninen of Herculaneum; and seven nieces and nephews: Mark (Mary) Freiermuth of Lee’s Summit, Linda (Arvin) Martin of Indianapolis, Stephen (Beverly Melton) Drinen of Herculaneum, Sharon (Dennis) Barbro of St. Louis, Michael (Linda) Drinen of New Athens, Ill., and James A. Hayes and Paul Hayes of southeast Missouri.
He was preceded in death by two sisters: Pearl L. Freiermuth and Verna D. “Snookie” Drinen.
Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Monday, June 9, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St. in Festus. Funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 10, at the funeral home, officiated by Rev. Gary Grey. Burial will be at the Presbyterian-Methodist Cemetery in Festus. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association or Mercy Hospice. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.