William Sims (“Bill”) Propst died on April 20, 2017, just shy of his 95th birthday. Bill was born on May 9, 1922 in Sumter, South Carolina, the middle of three sons of Grier Caldwell Propst and Lois Sims Propst.

He was married for 47 years to the late Adelaide Linehan Propst.

Bill attended Clemson College where he played football, until volunteering for WW II at age 20. Bill served as an U.S. Army Staff Sergeant, 29th Infantry Division, 116th Infantry Regiment, and was awarded the Bronze Star. After being injured in combat, he was honorably discharged on April 2, 1945. Bill was proud of his service but did not talk about his war experience until his later years. After the war, Bill moved to Raleigh, working in sales in the lumber industry followed by a lifelong career in real estate. He was a member of Christ Episcopal Church. Bill was also a member of various boards and social clubs, including the Sphinx Club and CCC. Bill’s favorite pastimes in his later years included delighting in his grandchildren, watching sports, the stock market, and his daily ritual of the crossword puzzle, many times without requiring a pencil. He remembered everything and everyone, which served him well in his storytelling, and he will always be remembered as a gentleman.

The family is grateful for the care and support of Rex Hospital Staff and Christ Church clergy.

He is survived by two children, Elizabeth McCulloch Baskerville Propst, of Washington; William Sims (“Buck”) Propst Jr. and his wife, Jina, of Raleigh. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Lillian Bowman Propst, Williams Sims Propst III and Benjamin Boylan Propst, and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his brothers, Julian Caldwell Propst and Charles Robert Propst, of Sumter, SC.

A memorial service will be held Monday, April 24, at 11 am, at Christ Church, 120 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC, with a reception to follow in the Christ Church Commons. There will be a private commitment ceremony at Oakwood Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Christ Church, 120 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, referencing “Bill Propst Memorial.”