Obituary for William A. "Bill" Sanders
William A. “Bill” Sanders, age 80, of Rural Route 1, Monterey passed away Wednesday, April 5, 2017. He was surrounded by his wife and family.
Sanders was born April 22, 1936 in North Bend Township to William A. Sanders and Vernita Bortell Sanders, both deceased. He was truly a hometown boy. Despite his many travels, he lived most of his life less than a mile from his birth home.
Sanders attended Knox Community Schools, including Knox High School where he participated in football, music, and track and field. Sanders held school records in high and low hurdles for several years. In 2000, Sanders was inducted into the Knox High School Sports Hall of Fame.
After high school, he attended Tarkio College, and completed his Master’s degree in Education at Indiana State University.
In 1957 he married high school sweetheart Gloria Ann Rock. They remained sweethearts for nearly 60 years.
Sanders served his community thru teaching. He taught elementary education to nearly 1,000 students, many of whom would meet him on the street and share fond memories of their school experiences. He also coached Basketball, Track, and Football. Bill was often seen up and down the sidelines as the KHS Football Statistician.
Sanders also shared a love of the land. He farmed alongside his dad Bill Sr., and later his sons. He will always be remembered as an outdoorsman, with a great love of hunting and fishing, a passion he passed down to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Sanders also served at Ora Gospel Chapel as Superintendent and Treasurer. In later years he volunteered his time by playing gospel music and old favorites at local nursing homes and community centers. His family will cherish the annual Christmas Eve Celebrations, playing harmonica while they sang Christmas carols.
Sanders leaves his wife Gloria, sons Bill Jr, (Libby) of Valparaiso, Brett (Debbie) of Argos, Barry (Crystal) of Monterey. Grandchildren Sara Blohm (Trevor), Whitney, Steve (Caroline), Scott, Shelby, Trevor, & Ethan Sanders. Great Grandchildren Zoe, Makenzie, & Nika. Brothers Claude (Jan) of Bass Lake and Rodney (Darlene) of Arizona.
A Memorial Service will take place Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 11:00am (CT), with visitation one hour prior to the service, at M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to: Ora Gospel Chapel, Gideon’s International, and Word Missionary Press.
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Sanders was born April 22, 1936 in North Bend Township to William A. Sanders and Vernita Bortell Sanders, both deceased. He was truly a hometown boy. Despite his many travels, he lived most of his life less than a mile from his birth home.
Sanders attended Knox Community Schools, including Knox High School where he participated in football, music, and track and field. Sanders held school records in high and low hurdles for several years. In 2000, Sanders was inducted into the Knox High School Sports Hall of Fame.
After high school, he attended Tarkio College, and completed his Master’s degree in Education at Indiana State University.
In 1957 he married high school sweetheart Gloria Ann Rock. They remained sweethearts for nearly 60 years.
Sanders served his community thru teaching. He taught elementary education to nearly 1,000 students, many of whom would meet him on the street and share fond memories of their school experiences. He also coached Basketball, Track, and Football. Bill was often seen up and down the sidelines as the KHS Football Statistician.
Sanders also shared a love of the land. He farmed alongside his dad Bill Sr., and later his sons. He will always be remembered as an outdoorsman, with a great love of hunting and fishing, a passion he passed down to his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Sanders also served at Ora Gospel Chapel as Superintendent and Treasurer. In later years he volunteered his time by playing gospel music and old favorites at local nursing homes and community centers. His family will cherish the annual Christmas Eve Celebrations, playing harmonica while they sang Christmas carols.
Sanders leaves his wife Gloria, sons Bill Jr, (Libby) of Valparaiso, Brett (Debbie) of Argos, Barry (Crystal) of Monterey. Grandchildren Sara Blohm (Trevor), Whitney, Steve (Caroline), Scott, Shelby, Trevor, & Ethan Sanders. Great Grandchildren Zoe, Makenzie, & Nika. Brothers Claude (Jan) of Bass Lake and Rodney (Darlene) of Arizona.
A Memorial Service will take place Saturday, April 22, 2017 at 11:00am (CT), with visitation one hour prior to the service, at M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to: Ora Gospel Chapel, Gideon’s International, and Word Missionary Press.
To plant a tree in memory of William A. "Bill" Sanders, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Saturday
22
Apr
10:00 AM
- 11:00 AM
MC Smith Funeral Home
153 E. Washington St
Knox, IN 46534
Service
Saturday
22
Apr
11:00 AM
- 12:00 PM
MC Smith Funeral Home
153 E. Washington St
Knox, IN 46534
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