Billy Ray Sanders
1929 ~ 2001

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Wednesday, November 6, 2002 It was one year ago tonight when Uncle Billy took God's hand and quietly stepped into Eternity. The above photo was taken in Sinton, Texas in 1954. That was the year Uncle Billy married my Mom's sister, Carole. The good looking couple on the right are Aunt Carole and Uncle Billy; my parents are on the left; and I am the short one in the group.
Gentle Autumn's Rain Do not stand at my grave and weep ... I am not there, I do not sleep ... I am a thousand winds that blow ... I am the diamond glint on snow ... I am the sunlight on ripened grain ... I am the gentle autumn rain ... When you wake in the morning hush ... I am the swift, uplifting rush ... Of quiet birds in circling flight ... I am the soft starlight at night ... I am the song that will never end ... I am the love of family and friend ... I am the child who has come to rest ... In the arms of the Father ... who knows him best ... When you see the sunset fair ... I am the scented evening air ... I am the joy of a task well done ... I am the glow of the setting sun ... Do not stand at my grave and cry ... I am not there, I did not die ... Original verse by Mary Frye (1932) Additional verse by Wilbur Skeels (1996)
Obituary Billy Ray Sanders went to be with the Lord on Tuesday November 6, 2001. He was born on June 7, 1929 in Sodville, Texas to Romanious Alfred Sanders and Ida (Schmalstieg) Sanders. He lived all of his life in the Sodville/Sinton Area. Billy was a farmer and a retiree of Reynold's Metal Company. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church and a member of the Masonic Lodge in Sinton. His hobbies were golfing, gardening and cooking, which he loved to share with his family & friends. He is survived by his wife of almost 48 years, Carole (Henry) Sanders of Sinton, Texas; his son Kevin Ray Sanders, Sr. of Tomball; his daughter, Connie Lynne (Sanders) Cook of San Antonio; four grandchildren: Kevin Ray Sanders, Jr. of Tomball, and Heather Marie Cook, Eryk Lennon Cook and Peyton Dakota Cook, all of San Antonio; one sister and brother-in-law, Peggy Sanders Rosson and Billy Joe Rosson of Shreveport, Louisiana; sisters-in-law: Edith Sanders of Portland, Roberta (Henry) Pounders of Rockdale, Elaine (Henry) and Gale Clee of Tomball, Susan (Henry) and Jimmy Aigner of Sinton; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and loyal friends. Billy was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Romanious Alfred Sanders, Jr. (Roe). Visitation was Thursday, November 8, 2001, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home, Sinton, Texas. The funeral service was held Friday, November 9, 2001 at 10:00 A.M., at the First Baptist Church, Sinton, Texas with interment at the Sinton Cemetery. Mr. Sanders lay in state Thursday, November 8, 2001 from 8:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. at the Ritchea-Gonzales Funeral Home. And Friday from 8:45 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. at the First Baptist Church.