SANDERS, William Lloyd (Bill)

The White Mountain Independent, Show Low, Arizona ~ 12/17/2013 William Lloyd Sanders, 74, went home to be with his Lord and Savior Dec. 9, 2013. Bill was born Jan. 22, 1939, in Downing, Wis., to Henry and Ethel Sanders. He was the middle child of three. Bill and his family were farmers and ranchers in Wisconsin before moving to Arizona. He worked with his parents in various ranching partnerships before moving to their 20-acre Okay Bars Ranch in Laveen, where they ranched for many years. Bill loved horses and rodeo and was a bull and bronc rider in his early career. He rode on the PRCA before a near-death riding injury at the Show Low Rodeo Arena permanently sidelined his career. He said riding broncs was too easy, so he started riding bulls for the challenge. He loved it so much that after his injury, he had to sell off all of his equipment so he wouldn’t be tempted to ride again. Years later, after his father’s death, they sold the ranch and moved to Meadview, so he could be close to the lake and fishing. Fishing and hunting were his favorite hobbies. He was always tinkering on old cars, boats and anything else with a motor. Bill was also an avid motorcycle enthusiast. He rode many miles on motorcycles and was an active member in the Arizona Jackrabbits Motorcycle Club, attending many charitable events through the organization. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ethel, and his wife Erma. He is survived by his brother, Jerry (Mary) Sanders of El Paso, Texas; sister Susan (Einar) Olson of Phoenix; daughter Bobbi (Bob) Frawley of Show Low; three sons: John (Danielle) Sanders and David Sanders of Show Low and Wayne (Kathy) Sanders of Mesa; three grandsons, four granddaughters, six great-grandchildren, four nieces, eight great-nieces and great-nephews; and many friends. Bill requested that his body be donated to science in hopes of finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. A combined memorial service will be held for Bill and Erma at a date and time yet to be determined. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18