Willie Sanders

Willie Edward Sanders, "Bill", 86, died peacefully February 21, 2017. He leaves behind his wife and best friend, Mary Ann (nee Griffin), siblings Wayne (the late Dorothy), Ann (the late Jim) Emmons, Dean (Sue), Donna (the late Jim) Butner, and many nieces and nephews. His parents Eddie and Helen (nee Hazlett) Sanders predecease him as do his brothers Don (Brenda) and Bob (the late Shirley, the late Joan) Sanders. Bill was the consummate teacher, always viewing his profession as a life work and not a "job". He began his professional career when he signed a contract to teach at East Peoria High School on the check-out counter of the local market he managed. After seven years in East Peoria, where he began their debate program, he was hired to be the debate coach at the soon-to-be-opened New Trier West High School in Northfield, IL. His love of teaching and his students was profound and the friendships that continued until his death with so many of those students attest to his devotion to his life's work. He was a thoughtful, reticent man who sensed so well the needs, strengths, and talents of his students and found ways to challenge and nurture at the same time. As one former student noted: "Bill Sanders passing will certainly leave an awful hole for all of us" but that he "touched the lives of so many so often and in such positive ways that the personal hole is compensated by the incredible contribution he has made to the lives of all of us." Celebration of his life Sat., March 25, 1-4pm, Michigan Shores Club, 911 Michigan Ave, Wilmette, IL. Donations in his honor may be made to the charity of your choice. Arrangements by Cremation Society of Illinois, 773-281-5058 or www.cremation-society.com.