William Sanders

William Martin Sanders, 79, of Atwood, IL passed away at 5:30 A.M. Monday, February 2, 2009 at Douglas Rehab and Care Center in Mattoon, IL.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main in Arcola, IL. Rev. Kenny Bontrager will officiate. Burial with military rites will be in the Arthur Cemetery, in Arthur, IL. Visitation will be from 11:00 AM until service time on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 at the funeral home.

Bill was born on May 9, 1929 in Cadwell, IL. He was a son of Walter Russell and Marie (Gregg) Sanders. He married Tillie Mast on June 23, 1965 in Decatur, IL. She passed away on February 9, 2004.

Survivors include three daughters, Connie Evans and her husband Victor of Charleston, IL, Billie Jo Fitzpatrick of Highland, IL, and Bobbie Jo Stutzman and her husband Gary of Arthur, IL; four step-children, Jennie Dickerson and her husband Randy of Arthur, IL Jack Carter of Sullivan, IL, Roger Carter of Atwood, IL and Barbara Carter of Beecher City, IL; fifteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; three brothers, Russell Sanders and his wife Nora of Arcola, IL, Don Sanders and his wife Helen of Oakland and Ronnie Sanders and his wife Sharon of Atwood, IL and one sister, Dorothy Whittington of Arcola, IL.

He was preceded in death by his wife, one grandson three sisters, Katherine Fore, Margaret Carter and Viola Reellon and one brother, Owen Ray Sanders.

Bill was an Army Veteran of WWII. He worked as a foreman at Progress Industries in Arthur, IL for over forty-two years. He retired from Mid-State Tank in Sullivan, IL with fifteen years of service.

He had been a member of the Moose and Eagle Clubs both in Mattoon, IL. He enjoyed camping at Sherwood Forrest. He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.