WORCESTER__William R. Sanders, 91, of Worcester died Sunday, October 26, 2008 in St. Vincent Hospital at Worcester Medical Center.
He leaves his wife of 68 years, Julia A. (Vilkus) Sanders; five sons, George W. Sanders of Auburn; James R. Sanders of Chicago, IL., Thomas E. Sanders of Plattsburg, NY., Rev. William F. Sanders and Paul V. Sanders, both of Worcester; four daughters, Ann Marie Holland of Shrewsbury; Mary Jane Howard of Worcester; Julie A. Sanders-Welsh of Spencer; Rosemary Beaudoin of Rutland; eleven grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, two great great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers and three sisters. He was born in Worcester, a son of George A. and Mary (Connor) Sanders and lived here all his life.
Mr. Sanders was a brakeman at American Steel & Wire, Division of U.S. Steel Co., Worcester and later worked as a steel foreman at American Steel and Aluminum Co., Auburn before retiring in 1982. He was a member of St. Stephen’s Church and a longtime parish volunteer. William was a former financial secretary for Local 2936 United Steel Workers, AFL-CIO. besides his many interests, his family was the center of his life. He was a “father extraordinaire.”
The funeral will be held on Wednesday, October 29, from DIRSA-MORIN FUNERAL HOME, 298 Grafton St., with a Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Stephen Church, 357 Grafton, St. His son, the Rev. William F. Sanders will be the principal celebrant. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery.
Calling hours in the funeral home are Tuesday, October 28, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Stephen Church Restoration Fund, 16 Hamilton St., Worcester, MA 01604 or Television Ministry – TV Mass, 49 Elm St. Worcester, Ma 01609