Billy “Bill” Gene Sanders,80,of Blytheville, Arkansas passed away on July 7,2026, at NEA Baptist hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas.  He was born to John and Ruby Tims Sanders on August 1, 1945, in Mississippi County.  Bill’s family worked a farm as he was growing up.  He chopped and picked cotton.  It’s been said that he was mischievous as a young boy.  Bill attended school in Burdette and Dell, graduating from Dell High School in 1964.  He was a track star at Dell High School and held the record for years after he graduated.  He was a long-time member, since 1978, of New Liberty Baptist Church, where he served as Treasurer and Deacon.  He was the BBQing King  at New Liberty, specializing in hams and butts.    

Bill joined and served six (6) years in the Arkansas National Guard after high school graduation.  He was a lineman for the Arkansas/Missouri Power Company.  At 28 years of age, while employed with ARK/MO he was injured.  A new employee turned the electricity back on too soon while Bill was up on a pole, and it caused Bill to lose a leg; and he was in a wheelchair the rest of his life.   His CB handle was “Miracle.”  Bill managed the Mississippi County Fair Board and was also the manager of the Arkansas State Fair Board.  He was given recognition for attending every Fair in the state.  He took pride in his job as manager.  He searched for singers to perform, truck pulls, and other events for the community to enjoy.  He retired after 25 years with the Fair Board.

His favorite thing to do, after his accident, was to mow his yard.  He was able to get himself on his riding lawn mower, from his wheelchair, and he was the “Lawn Ranger.”  Bill was the patriarch of the family.  He and Judy didn’t have children but had nieces and nephews who he considered “his kids.”  On July 15th he and Judy would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.  

In 2023 Bill was in a vehicle accident that caused damage to both kidneys requiring him to go on dialysis.  He sustained other injuries as well, but the damage to the kidneys played a part in his untimely death.  The family is thankful that Bill was saved and knew where he was going when he died.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Judy Young Sanders, of the home;

One sister, Betty Stovall

one nephew, Michael and Jessica Stovall;

his church family at New Liberty Baptist;

and many friends that he has worked with over the years.  He will be missed dearly.