MALTA-Philip
B. Sims, 82, died of natural causes on Sunday, February 12, 2012
at Riverstone Hospice House in Billings, MT. Cremation has taken place at the Hi-Line Crematory in Malta. Memorial service will be held at the Kirkwood Funeral Home in Malta with military honors at a later date. Condolences for the family may be left at www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com. Kirkwood Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements.
Philip B. Sims was born May 21, 1929 at Havre, Montana to Irling and Iva Smith Sims. From birth until 1943, his family lived north of Havre up close to the Canadian Border. In 1943, the family moved to Malta where he went to school. After leaving school, he worked for Jim McCoy at the McCoy Furniture Store until such time as he started working for the oil rigs and traversed Montana, Wyoming and Utah. After the stint with the oil rigs, he was drafted to the U S Army during the Korean conflict. He served in the 82nd Airborne and became a paratrooper.
On April 8, 1956 he married Darlene Charlton in Malta. In 1958 they bought the Hilltop Dairy along with his dad and started raising sheep, alfalfa hay, and small grains. Phil and Darlene raised five children, Mike, Glen, Connie, Nick and Billi Jo.
Phil was a Boy Scout leader, Wool Pool Board Member, Volunteer Fire Chief for the rural communities, and a member of the Malta Irrigation District. He was instrumental in the Wagon Train barbeques with his buddies Mervin Weeres, Robert McEwen and Vern Knopfle. His passion for his barbeque sauce known as “Phil Sauce”, which led him into a small business venture.
Phil was a very kind man who would help anyone. Phil enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, his sheep and his dog Simon. Phil enjoyed his morning coffee at Westside and enjoyed giving anyone a bad time.
Phil is survived by his wife Darlene of 55 years. His children Mike (Karen) Sims of Billings, MT; Glen (Terri) Sims of Malta; Connie (Stan) Kendall of Round Mountain, NV; Nick Sims of Greenwich, CT; and Billi Jo Sims of Big Timber, MT . He is also survived by seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. His sister Phyllis and husband Dale Delong of Helena, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
The family wants to thank all of his friends that have called, sent cards and stopped by to visit him during the last eighteen months while he was in Billings.
Guest Book
From: Donna Richardson Stephan
My sympathy goes out to the family of Phil. I have many good memories of him during my life. His mom took care of my siblings and I when I was very young. I also worked for his dad while I was in high school as a bookkeeper. Phil would drop by and give my sister Carol and I so much to laugh about!!! I backed over a fence post one day when leaving work at the farm. Phil had to put a pipe over the fence post which was wedged under my car, so I could drive forward again. The next day there was a large paper bag over the fence post when I drove into the yard! He wanted to make sure I saw it this time ! He was very special to me and my family. He will be missed!
From: Diane Smith
Darlene and family; deepest sympathy to you with the loss of Phil. He will be missed. I miss his quirky sense of humor; he always had something to say about everything.
From: Judy and Steve Johnson
Darlene and Family. We are so sorry to hear of Phil's passing. We enjoyed him so much. I was one of those morning coffee drinkers at the Westside. We had so much fun and so many good times with Phil. There was no one like him. Malta and anyone who ever knew Phil will miss him.
From: Bud & Wilma Mavencamp
Darlene & Family; with our deepest sympathy. Phil was one very special person. He never was at a lost for words and he had a quirky sense of humor and always expressing his views. We hope your memories will warm your hearts always and bring you all much comfort.
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