William M. “Bill” Sanders, 81, of Largo, FL, passed away on March 15, 2015, at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, FL. Born in Springfield, IL, he moved to Florida in 1975 from Memphis, TN.
He served his country in the United States Air Force, Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserves for nearly 30 years. He served in Korea and Vietnam and had responsibility as a Loadmaster for C-130 aircraft. At the time of his retirement, his rank was an E-7 Master Sergeant. His next career was also with the Federal Government as a Defense Contractor. He spent many years working at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, FL.
Bill was a Life Member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars organizations. He was a member of American Legion Turner-Brandon Post 7 in Clearwater and a member of the Kiwanis and Optimists clubs.
Bill was one founding Executive Director of Keep Pinellas Beautiful. The website for Keep Pinellas Beautiful states, “Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Inc. is a volunteer based 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, whose mission is to prevent litter, reduce waste and beautify communities. KPB provides these services to all of Pinellas County through contract funds provided by the Pinellas County Utilities and Highway Departments, as well as through corporate, recycling revenue, and charitable donations. KPB manages the volunteer adoption of roads, beaches, islands and trail areas in Pinellas County for regular litter cleanups. In addition, KPB coordinates the Pinellas volunteers for local bayou cleanups, Great American Clean-up, America recycles Day, and the International Coastal Cleanup.” Bill has left an incredible legacy for all to follow in the area of conservation for your local community.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Merl and Edith Sanders; and brother, Ronnie Sanders. He is survived by his wife, Sandra Sanders; sons, Richard Sanders of Mt. Olive, MS and Douglas Sanders of Dallas, GA; daughters, Deanna Kienzle of Crown Point, IN; and Victoria Sanders of Marietta, GA; brother, Jim Sanders of Union Lake, Michigan; step-son, Keith Timian of Orlando, FL; step-daughter, Deborah Timian of Clearwater, FL; 10 grandchildren; 6 great grandchildren; and many friends.
Funeral services, with Military Honors, will be held on Monday, March 23, 2015, at 10:45AM at the Bay Pinellas National Cemetery in St. Petersburg, FL. A Memorial Luncheon will be held in the afternoon from 1PM to 4 PM at the American Legion Turner-Brandon Post # 7 located at 1760 Turner Street, Clearwater, FL 33756. A Sunset Prayer Ceremony will take place at 6:30PM at the Clam Bayou Nature Park located at 34th Ave South and 40th Street in St. Petersburg.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations should be made in Bill’s name to American Legion Turner-Brandon Post # 7, at 1760 Turner Street, Clearwater, FL 33756.
It has been my pleasure to be a friend of Bills all these many years. He was a man of character as well as being Quite a character himself. He had a most adventurous life with MANY accomplishments. He deserves many accolades for leading “Keep Pinellas Beautiful” through the years-since the beginning of this successful organization. He did his very best to educate the public and develop such a strong team of volunteers and programs that have been recognized for being one of the Best in the Country. He was everywhere doing anything that needed to be done to (“Get the job done”).I truly enjoyed listening to his Air Force stories and the many lunches we shared. I do hope to someday again, meet someone as interesting and brave as him. Thanks for your service. God Bless You, My Friend.
Bill and I met only 5 or 6 years ago, so my recollections are only recent. I admire him greatly and I fondly recall working and just talking with Bill.
Mr. Bill served Keep Pinellas Beautiful for over 17 years. During his tenure, Bill funded, supported, worked and led KPB from a start-up operation to a premier community agency that is focused on litter reduction, recycling, beautification … as well as public education and awareness of responsible waste practices. Bill’s is an outstanding and admirable record of progress and achievement.
Under Bill, KPB has been the leader:
• for volunteer neighborhood, park, bayou, beach, road, island, and trail clean ups,
• for awareness and education outreach to elementary, middle, and high schools,
• for volunteer adoptions of roads, beaches, islands, ponds and the Pinellas Trail,
• for recycling programs with Pinellas County schools.
At our breakfasts, he would share stories – his stories – of a full and eventful life. He told of Chicago, Yuma, San Diego, Korea, the Carolinas, and, of course Florida. He proudly remembered Air Force experiences, Keep Pinellas Beautiful’s early years, and those who he touched along the way.
Bill was a good man, a good American, and a good Christian. He has been called home for a welcome rest. God Bless You.
To die- to sleep-
No more; and by a sleep to say we end
The heartache, and the thousand natural shocks
That flesh is heir to. ‘Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wish’d. To die- to sleep.
To sleep- perchance to dream
I first met Bill through Keep Pinellas Beautiful many years ago while I was teaching Marine Biology at Countryside High. He encouraged me to involve my students in coastal clean ups, and my Marine Biology Club adopted the Dunedin causeway. Even today past students comment on how helping the environment enriched their lives and how they are involving their children in environmental projects. After retiring 11 years ago, I joined GFWC North Pinellas Woman’s Club and our conservation committee adopted 3 spoil islands close to the Causeway, & 2 miles of the Pinellas trail. Bill was a wonderful man who inspired all who knew him. His legacy will live on through KPB and the many, many people whose lives he touched over his long and successful lifetime.
Bill was so dedicated in the field of coastal clean up projects that he inspired me to keep them going
throughout my career. He was a great man and will be missed by many. I am hoping KPB will continue as he
set the foundation.
Bill was a genuine person who truly cared about the overwhelming problem of litter in Pinellas County. I met Bill through the Pinellas Partners in Recycling group, more than six years ago. He never missed an opportunity to educate our community about litter clean up and prevention. Bill started a grassroots movement and built a foundation from which we all can learn and enhance. His passion for what he did made KPB more than a job it was his mission. We will strive to keep his passion and inspiration alive.
It was truly an honor & pleasure to have worked and been a friend of Bill’s. He was an astounding man of many accomplishments. I could listen to his stories of his life for hours. His dedication to Keep Pinellas Beautiful was second to none. He will be truly missed by many people.
I first met Bill 15 years ago at a Keep Pinellas Beautiful Event and every year there after. We greatly appreciate Bill’s commitment to our community and to helping others.
It was my pleasure to meet Bill at meetings of the Pinellas Partners in Recycling held in St. Petersburg, Florida. Whenever Bill gave his report of all the clean-up efforts being currently performed by the volunteers of Keep Pinellas Beautiful, I felt totally exhausted just listening to the work Bill and his workers were doing! Bill’s legacy speaks loud and clear regarding the fine family man, friend, and armed service man Bill was. I would like to offer my sincere sympathy to Bill’s widow, Sandra, and his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
It is with great sadness that I learned of Bill’s passing. His passion for making this community a better place through his ongoing efforts to provide a clean environment for future generations is a testimony of his character. He will be greatly missed.
Mr. Bill as I have always referred to him was an amazing individual. Through my work with Pinellas County Volunteer Services I have spent a great deal of time with Mr. Bill. He was a major supporter of Pinellas County as a whole and his work within our parks, waterways, roads, the Pinellas Trail etc.
He will be missed, always happy and wanting to do the best thing for everyone. God speed my friend.
You will be so missed by ALL of the Keep America Beautiful Affiliates of Florida, and especially by Keep Manatee Beautiful. Our time together positively shaped our lives. You were an inspiration to me, with your passion, energy, creativity, team spirit and generosity. You were SO MUCH FUN, too. Thank you Bill for being our colleague and friend.
Bill was a true friend s well as an inspiration……. I will be donating trees to be planted in a National Forest in Bills name by Arbor Day Foundation. Rest in peace my Friend… thank you for the service and the friendship Rest in Peace Bill gonna miss you!!!!!