April 22, 1962 - October 19, 2024
Mr. William Bernard Sanders was born in Duck Hill, Mississippi, on April 22, 1962, to Buck and Mary Ella McCuiston Sanders. He died peacefully at the East Georgia Regional Medical Center on Saturday, October 19, 2024.
He confessed to Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Young’s Chapel Baptist Church in Duck Hill, Mississippi. After relocating to Statesboro, Georgia, he attended the St. Mary’s Missionary Baptist Church.
He graduated from Duck Hill High School, where he was an active basketball player. One of his outstanding achievements was the first time he dunked the ball.
On November 29, 2021, he united in matrimony to his “honey” Mrs. Joanne Winfield Sanders. They enjoyed five years of love and friendship. Some of their favorite pastimes were fishing, visiting friends and family, and shopping at flea markets.
He had previous marriages to Patricia Pickens and the late Laura Loggins. Two children, William Marquis and Alicia Nicole, were born from the first marriage, and two children, Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Malik, were born from the second marriage.
William’s hobbies and interests helped define him. He enjoyed fishing and hunting and anxiously awaited each season. He shared his love for the outdoors with his son Kobe. However, his greatest enjoyment was spending time with his children and grandchildren.
In addition to his parents, William was predeceased by six siblings: O. W. Sanders, Gracie Harbin, Hattie Smith, Leroy Sanders, Charles E. Sanders, and William Harvey McCuiston; and two stepsons, Cordell Preston Winfield and Jeremy Jerome Winfield.
He leaves fond memories in the hearts of his loved ones: his wife, Joanne Marie Sanders of Statesboro, GA; his children, William Marquis Sanders (Kimberly) of Ellabell, GA, Alicia Nicole Sanders of Savannah, GA, and Shaquille O’Neal Sanders and Kobe Malik Sanders of Statesboro, GA; one stepson, Renell Palmer of Maricopa, AZ; eleven grandchildren; two sisters: Eva Lay of Waterford, MS and Lillian Turnipseed (James) of North Providence, RI; four brothers, Frank Sanders of Newport News, VA, J. W. Sanders (Sylvia) of Indianapolis, IN, Nathaniel Sanders (Marjorie) of Killeen, TX, and Charles Sanders (Frances) of Duck Hill, MS; a sister-in-law, Ruth Palmer; two brothers-in-law, Anthony Winfield and Terry Charles; many nieces, nephews, and a host of relatives and friends who will miss him dearly.
His light was generously shared with many people in this world. He will always be remembered for his sense of humor, his willingness to help, and standing up for what was right. Most importantly, everyone knew him as a “friend” in the community.
Viewing will be held on Friday evening, November 1, 2024, at the Hill's Mortuary, Inc.
Mr. Sanders will lie in state on the day of service from 9 A.M. until the funeral hour. There will be no viewing after the eulogy.
The funeral service for Mr. William B. Sanders, will be held 10 A.M., Saturday November 2, 2024, at the St. Mary's Missionary Baptist Church, with the pastor, Rev. Timotheus Mincey, officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Final rites have been entrusted to Hill's Mortuary, Inc.
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