| Bio | William (Bill) L. Sanders, 70 years old, of Parkville, Missouri formerly of Independence and Sugar Creek, Missouri, lost his battle with cancer on July 29, 2017. He was the only child of Walter and Frances (Lepold) Sanders, attended Fairmount Elementary school and graduated from Van Horn High school, Class of 1965. Bill was a member of the Boy Scout Troop 3276, Brave in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, Eagle Scout Troop 206, Wagon Wheel District. Bill served in the U.S. Army 1966-1969 active duty, reserve until 1972. He was stationed in Ft. Leonard Wood, Ft. Sam Houston (dental assistant training) Ft. Dix, and Frankfurt, Germany. After the Army, Bill experienced many careers; he became a printing pressman through Local 16 (now GCIU), drove a truck over the road for Gainey Trucking Company, and graduated from the MCC-HVAC program in 2001. Bill's final place of employment was Midwest Heating and Cooling in Kansas City before retiring to fight cancer in 2010.
Bill married in 1969, became a father in 1970 and 1975.
Bill enjoyed spending time at Lake of the Ozarks as well as observing how things work, taking them apart and putting them back together. He built and made parts for R.C. boats, motorcycles, sprint cars and drag boats, finishing his last project less than 12 hours before he passed. He rebuilt cars, motorcycles, Jet Ski's, and restored a 1966 Chris-Craft Holiday boat to original. Bill was a craftsman, building furniture, cabinets, a rocking horse, a house addition, a boat house, a pump house, a boat dock, several decks and countless other projects. He shared his talents with friends and helped racers improve their rides. He also did home improvements, repairs and maintenance of everything. Bill was the "go to" guy. If it was broken, he could most likely fix it.
He fought an impossible battle against cancer for more than seven years with four major surgeries, endless procedures and doctor appointments, enduring side effects of chemotherapy and pain while keeping hope for a new treatment that would extend his life. Bill didn't complain. He never gave up. He will be missed by many.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Bill is survived by his wife of 47 ½ years, Nancy, of the home, daughters Amy (Mike) Wilkinson of Independence, Missouri and Jolie (Aaron) Walker of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, eight grandchildren to which he was the only remaining grandfather, and three great-grandchildren.
The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff at KU Bloch Cancer Center, Westwood.
A memorial fellowship is being planned, information available from a family member or close friend. No flowers, please. Donations may be made to your favorite charity.
Arrangements under the direction of Mt Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, Kansas City, MO. |
