Rev. Billy Rex Sanders

Rev. Billy Rex Sanders, loving husband, father, grand-father, great-grandfather, died peacefully at his home September 12, 2022. Billy was born June 21, 1951 in Viola, Arkansas to William Madison Sanders and Mary Bell Sanders. Billy was the oldest of six children, Mike Sanders now deceased, James Sanders of Arkansas, Caroline Daily now deceased, Marilyn Fountain of Arkansas and Bobby Sanders of Arkansas.

Billy Rex joined the Navy in 1969 after graduating from high school. For his seven years of service he was stationed in San Diego, California, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, Jacksonville, Florida, and finally Beeville, Texas; where he met the love of his life. It was for sure a God thing because the love of his life said that she would never marry a sailor, but yet on February 14, 1976 Billy Rex married Gail Annette Barnett of Beeville ,Texas and changed her name to Gail Annette Sanders.

In August 1976 Billy desired to get out of the Navy and was honorably discharged as a Petty Officer 2nd class. Billy knew he had the call of God of his life and began his ministry preaching on street corners in Beeville, Texas. Shortly after that he went to work for Trinity Chapel in Beeville as an associate pastor under Dr. CC Hurst . During this time Billy and Gail had their first child, Brandon Rex on July 2, 1977. The next chapter in their journey led them to Copperas Cove, Texas in December of 1977 where they became Pastors at Trinity Chapel. As the congregation increased they built a new sanctuary which we are sitting in today and Billy finished his degree at Mary Hardin Baylor. As the church body increased in size so did their family, Brent Edward was born in Gatesville, Texas on June 5th, 1979. When the Trinity sanctuary was finished in 1981, Pastor Billy and Gail and the family left Copperas Cove and moved to Temple and Waco for two years which he worked at a Christian school in Temple and ABF freight in Waco. The call to pastor was still in his heart so they pioneered a church and childcare center in Hewitt which they ran until they returned to Copperas Cove in 1983. After their return to Copperas Cove they started Trinity Childcare Center, which he was the administrator of alongside Gail as director. Pastor Billy was not just a man that lived in the city but was engaged in the city. He served in Rotary, even as the president multiple times. He was a member of Copperas Cove’s Christian Ministerial Alliance and served there as president multiple times. He became a city Council member and served as mayor pro-tem, he served on the Metroplex Hospital board, was a Professor at Life Christian University while finishing his education with a masters in theology and became involved in the Walk to Emmaus community. For his 50th birthday Gail allowed him to get a motorcycle which led to his involvement with the Christian Motorcycle Association and then Chariots of Light of which he became the area leader then Texas chapter president. He was an active partner of Jerry Savelle Ministries international serving as a member of Dr. Savelle’s Presidents Cabinet. While serving in all of these capacities, he was also involved in the Pentecostal Church of God for 46 years. Rev. Billy Rex Sanders served as sectional Presbyter, district Presbyter, district secretary and treasurer, home mission Director and coordinator of the district golf tournaments.

While serving in all those ways he still found time to have lots of fun, from hunting, boating, fishing, golf, softball, pool, anything outdoors, to watching, coaching, supporting his kids and grandkids, in whatever they were doing, wherever it happened to be. Eating anywhere that looked like it served good food and taking trips with his beautiful Wife Gail. Pastor Sanders made sure in whatever he was doing it was going to be full of fun, food and faith. His faith was such an integral part of his life that it permeated every single thing that he did.

Billy‘s legacy continues through his wife of 46 years, Gail and their sons Brandon Rex and his wife LaDonna and Brent Edward and his wife Jenni; his grand-children Tori, Trent, Travis, Brody, Brooke Hooper, her husband Daniel and their son Keanu and his little sister on the way.

Billy‘s legacy lives on.

Family Visitation will be held at the North Pointe Church of Copperas Cove for Billy on Thursday, September 15, 2022 from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. The Funeral Service will be held at North Pointe Church on Friday, September 16, 2022 at 11:00 AM. A Time of Fellowship following the Funeral Service will be held at the North Pointe Park, located at 1899 N FM 116 in Copperas Cove. The Graveside Service will be in the Glenwood Cemetery in Beeville, Texas on Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 2:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made in Billy's name to the Chariots of Light Soul Winning Outreach at https://www.jerrysavelle.org/Store/chariots-of-light-giving#new_tab

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowerscopperascove.com for the Sanders family.