Billy F. Sanders

Billy F. “Bill” Sanders January 18, 1937 - May 25, 2007 Billy F. “Bill” Sanders began his eternal life with Jesus at 12:15 p.m. on May 25, 2007. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 28th at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Waco, TX. with Bert Mercer delivering the eulogy. He was born on January 18, 1937 in Hillsboro, TX. After graduating from Abilene High School in 1955, he attended Abilene Christian University and Texas Tech University. Then in 1959 he graduated from the Texas Department of Public Safety Law Enforcement Academy in Austin. Bill married Tomi Carter in 1960. They lived in San Angelo, TX where he was a state trooper. In 1964 he transferred to the Motor Vehicle section of the Department of Public Safety and moved to El Paso. He was promoted to sergeant in 1968 and moved to Houston. In 1971 he was promoted to captain and was stationed in Corpus Christi. Finally in 1976 Bill moved to Waco where he was captain over the Motor Vehicle Inspection service until he retired in 1999. His many hobbies included collecting antiques in general especially antique firearms and competition shooting. He was also a founding member of the China Spring Lion’s Club and was instrumental in starting the China Spring Youth Athletic program which included the construction of the baseball/softball complex. Bill coached girls’ softball for CSYAA for nine years. He was known as “Coach” both to his girls’ team and to his grandchildren. Bill was a charter member of the Brookview Church of Christ. He also served as the church’s treasurer. He was preceded in death by his mother, Jimmie Wynnelle Tucker Sanders and father, Clyde Foy Sanders. Survivors include his wife, Tomi’ daughter, Heather Payne; daughter and son, Holly and Todd Pickett; grandchildren, Sarah and Courtney Payne, Mackenzie and Brady Pickett; sister and brother-in-law, Ann and George Rawlings; and three nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center specify: melanoma research, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 88210-4486. The family invites you to leave a message or memory in our “Memorial Guestbook” at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey