William Earl Sanders Jr. died Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, at his residence. He was 83.

Mr. Sanders was born on March 28, 1929, in Red Lick and lived much of his life in Jefferson and Claiborne counties. He had made his home in Vicksburg for the past 42 years. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed travel and retired as foreman of the machine shop at LeTourneau after 35 years of service. He was an active member of the Stepping Stone Baptist Church in Port Gibson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Earl Sr. and Eugenia “Patti” Fortner Sanders; his wife, Martha Lewis Sanders in 2004; and three sisters, Exa B. Wolfe, Edna B. Sharp and Barbara B. Ellis.

He was the beloved father of two daughters, Alice Sanders Carroll (Grey) of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Rebecca Lynn Pereverzoff (Paul) of Akron, Pa.; and three sons, Michael E. Sanders of Booneville, William L. Sanders (Karen) of Vicksburg and Gerald W. Sanders (Becky) of Fishers, Ind. He also is survived by one sister, Mary B. McGee of Port Gibson; six grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, 2012, in the chapel of Glenwood Funeral Home with Pastor Keith Garland officiating. Interment will follow at Greenlawn Gardens Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Michael Sanders, William Sanders, Gerald Sanders, James Sanders, Paul Pereverzoff and Richard Lewis.