Clifford Dale Sims, 83, of Windsor, Missouri, died at the Community Health Care Center, in Lincoln, Mo., on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, surrounded by his family, following a lengthy illness.

He was born on August 9, 1931, in Benton County, the oldest son of Herbert Commodore Sims and Gladys Marian (Moore) Sims. Clifford attended Oakland Elementary School and graduated from Windsor High School in May of 1950. On Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 1951, he was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart Yvette Ellis at Harmony Baptist Church by Reverend George W. Gray.

Following their marriage, Clifford was employed in Kansas City and drafted into the United States Army in April, 1952, serving as a wrecker truck driver on active duty on the front lines in the Korean War and honorably discharged in April of 1954. After his discharge from the Army and working in Lawrence, Kansas for a few months, he returned with his family to Windsor to farm which was his life’s passion. Following the death of his uncle, he and his wife purchased the Sims Century Farm, where he resided until his health declined and he was entrusted to health care.

Clifford loved the farm and the labor it required to be successful. He enjoyed raising cattle and growing soybeans, wheat and hay. He took pride in caring for the cattle and machinery and all phases of the farm work.

He was a member of First Harmony Baptist Church, rural Windsor, where he and Yvette were married 63 years ago. Through the years, he had been a member of First Baptist Church, Windsor, and Tebo Baptist Church near Windsor Crossing. He also served on the MFA Oil Board, Springfield Township Road District Board for a number of years and the Farmers Elevator Board.

Survivors include his wife, Yvette, of the home; one son, Clifford Kent Sims and friend, Theresa, Windsor, Mo.; four daughters, Joan Kidwell (William), Versailles, Mo.; Susan Graham (Ted), Warrensburg, Mo.; Carol Waibel (Jeff) Lincoln, Mo.; and Darla Dwiggins (Jon) Macon, Mo.; a brother, Richard Lee Sims (Libby), Raytown, Mo.; ten grandchildren, Matthew Fosnow (Crystal), Kelly Sims Watkins (Adam), Caleb Dwiggins (Amy), Zac Dwiggins (Sarah), Julie Kidwell, Staci Waibel, Bryson Waibel (Kate), Jack Dwiggins, Trent Waibel and Reece Dwiggins; four great-grandchildren, Macy, Jurnee, Kendal and Wilson, along with several nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, one grandson, Ian Dwiggins and a daughter-in-law, Brenda Sims.

Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m., Friday, July 31, 2015, at the Hadley Funeral Home, Windsor with Pastor Gordon Hibbard officiating. Burial will follow at 12:00 noon at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, Mo. The family will receive friends before the service from 9:00 to 9:30 a.m., at the funeral home. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Missions of Baptist Fellowship Association or to the Baptist Ridge Camp, Warsaw, Mo., and contributions may be left at the funeral home.