William James "Bill" Grimes

We are saddened to announce that William James "Bill" Grimes of Oklahoma City, OK passed into the next life on the morning of Tuesday, March 30, 2021. Bill was born February 8, 1947 in Sayre, OK and was the first-born son to Bill & Pat Grimes formerly of Oklahoma City, OK. Bill graduated from Northwest Classen High School in 1965 and attended Oklahoma State University for a short period of time before being selected to pitch for the Baltimore Orioles baseball organization. Bill's natural athletic abilities paid off as he went on to play professionally for the Aberdeen Pheasants, Miami Marlins and Kansas City Royals. It was ultimately a football injury sustained in high school which ended his baseball career. Upon returning to Oklahoma, Bill and his first wife Candy (Looney) Grimes established a home and Bill began a career in sales, life insurance initially, and used his natural abilities as a salesman to pursue a career in car sales. During this era, Bill and Candy had two children, Jennifer Paige Grimes and Christopher Ryan Grimes. Bill eventually tried his hand at real estate and found that it fit like a baseball glove and thus his life career in sales training began. He became a leading motivational speaker using his tireless work ethic, no-doubt drilled into him during his formative years as an amateur and professional athlete. Bill's work led him to travel the United States extensively and later carried him to places like the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. He met and established friendships all over the world while helping a multitude of individuals identify and realize their professional and personal goals through his training. Bill married Linda (Koper) Grimes in 1985 and thus began an entrepreneurial business that focused on Bill's skills in training and Linda's skills in sales management. Bill Grimes and Associates was established and greatly successful not only from a financial perspective but also because it capitalized on helping individuals develop their own personal growth and successes. When asked about his hobbies, Bill would often say "I like reading and working," as evidenced by the bookshelves that lined his home and office walls. Bill spent the latter part of his life with former wife Judy (Stotts) Grimes at their home in Quail Creek in Oklahoma City. Bill enjoyed watching professional sports and was a lifetime fan of the Green Bay Packers. "Little Bill" was son to Billy Joe Grimes, former halfback and punt returner for the Green Bay Packers. He also enjoyed visiting with his granddaughter Tyller Grimes and loved watching her grow and play a multitude of sports including soccer, volleyball, track and basketball. Bill was always a great friend and worked hard to preserve friendships cultivated both in adolescence and throughout adulthood. He found great joy in building those lasting friendships and instilled this belief in his children as well. Bill could be characterized as a bridge builder, someone who was relentless in their pursuit of mending fences, always trying to let bygones be bygones, and often found his radical style of thought was infectious as was his big-belly laughs, keen sense of humor, and ability to solve problems. He was son, parent, stepparent, grandparent, husband, and teammate, boss, co-worker, coach, friend and mentor to so many. Bill's love of music was also ever present, as he would often break-out in song without any care or concern or how much attention was drawn. He felt he could give Kenny Rogers a run for his money. He sung in the school choir from the time he was little and continued to have his own choir until the end. His life is a testament to dancing to the beat of your own drum and singing as loud as humanly possible. Bill was preceded in death by his parents Billy Joe Grimes of County Line, OK and Patricia Ann (Scroggins) Grimes of Sayre, OK. He is survived by daughter, Paige and Steve Pierson of Española, NM; son, Christopher Ryan and Jennifer Renee with their child Tyller Grimes of Fort Worth, TX; brother, Steve and Linda Grimes of Roswell, GA, and brother, Mark and Linda Grimes of Yukon, OK. Bill also has several nieces and nephews including Amy, Matthew, Zach, Josh, Megan and Drew and their respective families. Please join Bill's family and friends for viewing and celebrating his life on Monday April 5, 2021. The family will be present from 5:00-7:00 PM at the Smith and Kernke Funeral Home located at 14624 N May Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73134, (405) 302-0021. Funeral services will be held at the same location on Tuesday April 6, 2021 at 10:00 AM. Graveside services immediately following the funeral will be held at 2:00 PM at Hillside Cemetery in Purcell, OK.