Mr. Sanders was born Monday, April 21, 1941, in Chambers County, Alabama, the son of Dorothy and the late William Riley Sanders, Sr. He was a graduate of Lanett High School and college with a major in American History. He had a love of airplanes and flying was his life. He flew a Piper Cub at the age of 11 and then crop dusters. Mr. Sanders flew commercial and private planes, flying for West Point Pepperell and Fedex. He retired from LaGrange Airport, but stayed on to help his friends there.

Mr. Sanders was preceded in death by his wife, Marilyn. Survivors other than his mother include his sons, Robert and James (Deena) Sanders both of Lanett; his sister, Tandy Coulter of Valley; 3 grandchildren, Savanna Sanders, Brian Sanders, and Nicole Sanders; a special niece, Michelle Boykin.