The hourglass, with its sands of time, has slowly but surely spilled its contents, and with the passing of the last sand, went the life of our friend and loved one.

Passing into an eternity, when life has been rough, filled with pain and disappointment and much joy, is as going from one room into a larger and more beautiful one.

Willie Sanders, Jr., also known as "Sonny", was a sweet, loving husband and father who thought he was the father to all of his sisters and brothers. His mother had three sets of twins in a row and six single kids afterwards, and the birth of twins did not skip a generation. His twin sister, Willie Jean Bryant (Deceased) had twins and his younger brother, Arthur Lee Sanders was a twin and his daughter Paula Sanders Blackwell also had twins.

Sonny was born in the "Original" set of twins to the union of Mrs. Ora Lee Sanders and Mr. Willie Sanders, Sr. who both preceded him in death. He was born second to his twin sister, Willie Jean Bryant on May 23, 1943 in McCalla, AL.

He graduated from Brighton High School in 1962. He joined the United States Army, becoming a decorated veteran and received the following medals: Silver Star, Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star and Air Medal. After serving his country, he later attended Miles College majoring in Psychology. He also attended Bessemer State Technical College taking a trade in Upholstery.

Sonny was united in holy matrimony to Jessie D. Davis on May 29, 1979. They shared 33 years of marriage together until her death in 2012. He departed this life on Friday, August 6, 2021 at home with his family.

He was baptized at the McCalla A.M.E. Zion Methodist Church, where he later joined the Spring Baptist Church (Sunday School Teacher). Later he brought his family into the Seventh-Day Adventist Church of Bessemer, serving as an Usher. In servitude to his community and others, a very proud moment of ours, he distributed pamphlets for the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He worked and retired from the City of Hoover after serving over 20 years.

Sonny was very kind and generous to whomever needed his help. Things many cherished about him was his big heart, lovely smile, funny personality. Sonny was a brave soul who frequently visited everybody in the community. He met no strangers. He was a hard worker, took pictures of everybody, loved family and friends. He cherished the love of his life, Jessie. Sonny was well known for telling it like it is. He never took any crap, very protective of his kids, just the sunshine of joy and rain, but most importantly, our hero.

Some of his favorite sayings included, "You see a fool, you leave a fool"; "Don't let it get you down"; "Everybody is not your friend"; and "Don't be a fool for anybody". He was well known for his funny sayings, too.

He leaves to cherish his life memories: a son, Willie Burgin (April) of Birmingham, AL; a daughter, Yolanda Bennett (Kenny) of Las Vegas, NV; a son, Emanuel Sanders of Bessemer, AL; a God-daughter, Fredia Chaney of Mobile, AL; a total of 11 siblings, 2nd set of tins, Arthur Lee (Carrie) Sanders of Vestavia Hills, AL; and Robert Sanders of Atlanta, GA; 3rd set of twins, William (Deidra Annette) Sanders of Huntsville, AL and Henry Sanders of Oakley, CA; Delois Ann Hunter of Dayton, OH; Annie Laura Sanders of Brockton, MA; Howard Sanders (Sandra) of Sacramento, CA; James Sanders (deceased); Theodus Sanders (Angelia) of Bessemer, AL Brenda Stafford (Christopher) of Birmingham, AL. Sisters-In-Law, Dorothy D. Davis of Bessemer, AL; Allie D. Lewis of Sweetwater, AL; Lillie (David) Pearson of Birmingham AL; Brother-In-Law, Richard (Katie) Davis of Prichard, AL and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many devoted friends.