William Thomas Sanders Jr.

William Thomas Sanders, Jr., age 96, died Monday morning, November 7, 2011 at Sagecrest Care Center in San Angelo. He was born October 19, 1915 in Rockdale, Texas. He married Jewel Irene Key in 1934 in San Angelo. Jewel died on January 2, 1997 at the age of 83. Their marriage resulted in four children: Richard D. Sanders and wife Dee of Knoxville, TN; Monty C. Sanders and wife Hajar of Sugarland, TX; daughter Wanda Brothers and husband Allen of San Angelo, TX and son Max Sanders and wife Gene of San Angelo. Mr. Sanders had eight grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and eight siblings.

Products of the Great Depression, Tom and Jewel formed a union that lasted 67 years until her death in 1997. Like so many men and women of this era, Tom and Jewel started their family at the age of 19 and 20, respectively, with little in the way of physical comforts. By the time he was 24 in late 1939, he had four children, the last born when he was a cowboy on a major ranch just west of San Angelo. When WWII commenced, Tom was sent to the shipyards at Long Beach, California to work on damaged ships. After the war, he returned to San Angelo and resumed his life as a cowboy. For many years, work for Tom was confined to the cowboy life, mostly breaking horses for ranch work. He apparently loved this work and by all accounts was skilled at this profession. He and Jewel raised their young family in a small house located at the base of Mount Nebo in Grape Creek. Typical of many families at that time, a host of relatives shared this first home; amenities were few—no fresh water, no electricity, no indoor plumbing. His children continue to wonder how parents of that era and ilk could successfully prepare food on a wood or kerosene heated stove, dress them properly for school, and ensure that they were standing at the bus stop at the proper time—all accomplished without complaining or fussing.

At the end of his career in Long Beach as a ship fitter, Tom learned the value of an education—men who had finished high school or college were quickly hired over those who had not, regardless of their skills at welding and ship fitting. This experience established a major criterion in his rearing of his children—providing the opportunity for education was to be the overriding factor in his role as a father. He and Jewel demanded an educational work ethic throughout their parenting years. Tom ultimately left ranch work due to poor wages and began a long career with the Water Department of San Angelo. He worked faithfully for 32 years at this task, never complaining about life and its turn of events. He and Jewel provided sound leadership and direction for their family, always supporting each other and their children. Work was a way of life for this family, accompanied by a strong and steady conviction that honesty and integrity were factors too easily lost and difficult to recover. “Do not lie, cheat, or steal, and never skip school” were cardinal rules of this man as a father.

Tom was a true believer in “tall tales” and could engage a person on any subject at any time with conviction that he was accurate in his assessment of the story or subject. Tom was much loved by all who knew him; he was affectionately known as “Daddy Tom” by many of his family members and delighted at conversations with all of his children and relatives. All who knew him enjoyed his pleasant nature, his sense of humor, and willingness to laugh at himself. One of his strongest character traits was his acceptance of life on life’s terms. He was truly an example of a person with strong convictions and a willingness to endure without complaining. The last years of Tom’s life revealed the strength of his character and convictions.

The family extends our gratitude to all who helped Dad during the last several years of his life—those at Royal Estates, and all of the loving caregivers and helpers at Sagecrest. Special thanks to Dr. John Barnes, Dr. Carl McGill, Dr. Mike Jones, Dr. Ross Alexander and Dr. Barnett and all of his staff of Baptist Hospice.

Visitation will be at 6:00-8:00 p.m. Friday, November 11, 2011 at Johnson’s Funeral Home and graveside services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 12, 2011 at Lawnhaven Memorial Gardens.

In lieu of flowers the family request memorials be made to Meals for the Elderly, Sagecrest, Baptist Hospice or a favorite charity.

Family and friends may sign an online guestbook at Johnson-funeralhome.com

Arrangements under the direction of Johnson's Funeral Home, San Angelo, TX.