
William K. Sanders, 84, of Lancaster, died Tuesday, February 12, 2013 at the Hospice and Community Care Center in Mount Joy.
He was born in Scranton, PA. Bill lived in and around Scranton in his youth, attending a one-room schoolhouse in Daleville, Pennsylvania while living on his grandparent’s farm. He often said that he never had a taste for chicken after watching their demise as a child. In seventh grade marching as a Boy Scout in a Scranton parade, he paired off with Girl Scout Maryella Ehrhardt and they sat together in the bleachers igniting a love affair that never ended.
Reflecting his love of competition, napkins at his house on Thunderbird Lane in Lancaster announced, “Fun and Games, at Bill and Mames.” He was a standout athlete in high school at football, basketball and swimming/diving. An avid golfer he had six holes-in-one, was a scratch golfer at the height of his game, and greatly enjoyed playing in the Lanco Open. He also played basketball at the YMCA and on industrial league teams, including the Lancaster Big Five, which at one time played before the Baltimore Bullets’ games. He once played against Wilt Chamberlain in a game at Norristown High. He also loved to play cards –bridge when he was younger and Gin Rummy his whole life.
Bill had an enormous appetite for life talking to everyone he met, which served him well in business. After attending the University of Scranton and completing Navy Flight School in Pensacola, he started out working for Universal CIT. In 1956, he and his family moved to Lancaster to work for Wolf Motors, a Ford dealership, and he later became its owner. After selling Wolf Motors he became an entrepreneur.
Bill served as an usher at the First United Methodist Church of Lancaster, and served on many community boards including the Boys and Girls Club of Lancaster and the Lancaster YMCA. Bill made and lost fortunes, competed and loved, and made friends where ever he was — right through hospice.
He is survived by Maryella Ehrhardt Sanders, his loving wife of 62 years; his son William Ehrhardt Sanders and his wife Marlene Smith Sanders of Lancaster; daughter Christine Powers and her husband Richard Powers of Lancaster; and son Wardell Sanders and his wife Erica Rubine of Lambertville, New Jersey; and grandchildren Richard Garrity Powers, Daniel Patrick Powers, William Lloyd Powers, Lily Joy Sanders, and Ian Stuart Sanders. He is predeceased by his parents, William Ansted Sanders and Jessie Kaufman Sanders; a brother James Lincoln Sanders; and a daughter, Joy Susan Sanders Gordinier.
A Memorial Service will be held on Sunday, February 17, 2013 at 3:30 P.M. at the Kearney A. Snyder Funeral Home, 141 E. Orange St., Lancaster, PA with the Rev. Edward A. Dickel officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home on Sunday from 2:30 P.M. until the time of the service. Please omit flowers. If desired contributions in Mr. Sanders’ memory may be made to the Lancaster Boys and Girls Club, P.O. Box 104, Lancaster, PA 17608, the Lancaster YMCA, 265 Harrisburg Ave., Lancaster, PA 17603 or to Hospice and Community Care, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604-4125.
Diane Snyder DeBord
Dear Mrs. Sanders, Bill and Chris,
I heard in church that Mr. Sanders was very ill and I am sorry for your loss. Chris, we sure have fond memories of church and MYF don’t we? Mark and I are out of town now, but I am very glad we will be back for the Memorial Service on Sunday. I will be thinking about all of you.
Sincerely,
Diane
Janet Smith
For as difficult a time as this is, I’m sure the wonderful memories & many close friends will be a comfort to you.
Rebecca Glen
Bill and family,
My words alone are far from comforting your hearts of sorrow. I can’t imagine the sadness you must be feeling from your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely,
Rebecca
Pat Barnett
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of such a wonderful man. Ward, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My Father is gone 18 years lst Sunday. The happy memories comfort me and guide me thorugh life.
Pat Barnett
William and Carol Hughes
Mary Ella, Sandy and Christine
Sorry for your lose… Our thoughts and prayers
are with you.
Philip Burtoft
What a simply amazing man and family. Right out of college I lived at Thunderbird Lane on weekends and it looks like I will never win a game of horse until I get up there with Mr. S. Vivid memories of a generous, extremely competitive, passionate and loving man. Heartfelt wishes to Mrs. Sanders, Sandy, Christine, Ward and the Grandkids. This man left a mark on all those lucky enough to have known him.
With sincere deepest sympathy,
Phil Burtoft
Lisa Horst
Dear Mrs. Sanders and family,
I am sure your family has many fond memories of Bill. He was truly a sincere and caring person. I will always remember the better ball tournament we played together and the conversations we shared about out home town Scranton. Wow, could he putt!
Our thoughts and prayers go to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Lisa Horst and family