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Wiley Sanderson Obituary
Mr. Sanderson was born August 26, 1918, in Detroit, Mich., to Wiley Dexter Sanderson and Frances Glee Benson. He received his first camera, A Kodak Brownie Box, when he was eight. In high school, he was an assistant instructor for Eastman Kodak.
He attended Olivet College and Mill College/New Bauhaus, where he studied with Lazlo Moholy-Nagy and Georgy Kepes. From 1940-1945, he served as Instrument Flying Instructor in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He completed his BFA in industrial design from Wayne State University in 1947, and completed his MFA in Metalwork at Cranbrook Academy of Art in 1959.
He joined the art faculty at the University of Georgia in 1949 and taught for 40 years, retiring in 1989. He initiated the Weaving Textiles and Metal Works programs in the department. In 1953, he introduced Pinhole Photography, one of the first photography courses in the U.S. at the college level. In 1964, he became Area Chair of Photographic Design, and was replaced by four full-time faculty members in Fabric Design and Metalwork of Jewelry.
Mr. Sanderson photographed extensively in Italy, China, and Israel. His pinhole photographs are in numerous museums and collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (New York, N.Y.), the Bibliotheque National (Paris, France), the American Academy (Rome, Italy), and the Royal Photographic Society and the Fox Talbot Museum (England). His photographs have been published nationally and internationally, most recently in the Smithsonian and on its website, in May 2000.
Mr. Sanderson was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Wiley Dexter Sanderson Jr.; his sister, Dorothea Sanderson Teets; and his first wife, Roz Nagle.
He is survived by his wife of 28 years, Mary Sayer Hammond, of Athens; his daughters, Sandra Bullock (Larry), of Brunswick, Janet Johnson (Keith), of Marietta, and Fran Wingfield (Terry), of Bethesday, Md.; five grandchildren, and six great-grandchildren.
Mr. Sanderson was a family member of Beech Haven Baptist Church, Athens. He had participated in three mission trips to Utah and Vermont, and sang bass in the Sanctuary Choir.
A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, October 7, at Beech Haven Baptist Church, 2390 West Broad Street, Athens. A luncheon and celebration of Mr. Sanderson's life will follow in the fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Mr. Sanderson's name to the Idaho Mission Trip at Beech Haven Baptist Church.
R.T. Patterson Funeral Home, Norcross, has charge of arrangements.
(770) 923-2940
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Wiley Sanderson
Mike
December 14, 2023
Found a mechanics vest pocket book that says to my friend wiley d sanderson with compliments of Everett r phelps of Wayne University, if anyone knows how to get it back to the family please give me a call.
Lisa Pendrys
August 7, 2020
I still have one of Wiley's photos framed in my home & it brings comfort to see his work. Mary, I hope you are doing well and enjoying life. Kind Regards, Lisa Pendrys
Joe Watson
February 20, 2012
My wife, Ann Cannon, and I met in Mr. Sanderson's class room in the lower level of the Fine Arts building in 1955. We both have fond memories of making the pinhole cameras and doing assignments for his class with them. He was an extremely committed teacher and a unique character in the very excellent and pioneering art & design program at that formative time at the University of Georgia. We are both so much the richer for our association with him and his creative methods of teaching which raised our consciousnesses to all things visual.
Ann still has her camera. Here's a photo of me and my pinhole camera that was taken for the self portrait assignment for his class in 1955 or '56.
Renee and Tom O'Brien
October 17, 2011
I was so sorry to hear about Wiley's passing. I remember fondly, a wonderful day my husband and I spent with Wiley and Mary in their home and studios filled with laughter and good food. Wiley was so helpful with information and inspiration for my dissertation on contemporary pinhole photography. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Richard Gaskins
October 6, 2011
I changed my major as a third year Psychology student to Photographic Design after attending a lecture given by Professor Sanderson. Over the years I've shared "Wiley survival stories" with many former students that wear them as a badge of honor. His teaching methods cultivated the best in me and I still find his work inspirational. My condolences and gratitude go out to Mary, who has kept in touch through the years. Their devotion to one another was always something special to witness.
Lisa Pendrys
October 2, 2011
As a Photographic Design student & graduate in the late 70's, my condolences go out to everyone in the family.
Professor Sanderson was unique, extraordinarily talented & very special. I have many fond memories of my years in the program & his teachings have impacted my life in a very positive way.
My prayers are with all of you.
August 23, 2011
Our thoughts now turn to those
who once shared with us
the joys and burdens of life,
but who are no longer in our midst.
Our sorrow is to have lost them;
our privilege to have known them;
our responsibility to build on their achievements.
In loving tribute,
we dedicate ourselves to the task
which unites the generations,
working to create a better world.
Mary Funk
August 17, 2011
Wiley was quite a character and a great teacher. He got me hooked on photography for life. I am now teaching others what he taught me back in 1978. He will be missed!
Donna Callighan
August 17, 2011
In 1976, when I was interviewing colleges, I went to meet Mr. Sanderson. He answered every question I had with a question, and because of that, I decided to study with him. What a great teacher!
My favorite memories are two things: The sign on the Critique room door that said, "Some people would rather be ruined by praise, than saved by criticism." And the rug in front of that door, "Get it right the first time!" I graduated in 1983 with a BFA in Photographic Design, and have gone on to have a good career as a professional corporate advertising and fine art photographer; all thanks to Wiley and his encouragement.
I send my sincere condolences to Mary and all the rest of his family.
Sandy Sullivan Ahearn
August 9, 2011
Dear Mary and family,
Mr. Sanderson was truly a talented man, who saw the world creatively through a lens like no one else. I was lucky to have him as my Major Professor at UGA in the Photography dept. at the Art School. I graduated under him in 1986 with a BFA in Photographic Design. He was a great mentor and wonderful friend in his unique way. The World of Photography has lost a great artist, but his legacy will live on for many, many years through his work that he contributed to society. My senior year, he gave me one of his pinhole photographs that he took in Italy during one of the many summers he spent in Cortona. I will always cherish that print.
Mary, I look forward to seeing you on October 7th to celebrate the life of Wiley Sanderson. He was truly a Great Man! You need to cherish all the memories and experiences you both had together, during this difficult time. I will keep you and your family in my prayers in the upcoming weeks.
Sincerely,
Sandy Sullivan Ahearn, UGA, BFA , Class of 1986
Neil Copeland
August 9, 2011
As a former student and friend of Wiley Sanderson, I was saddened to hear the news of his death. He was a major influence in my life and my career as a photographer. As a teacher, he was a hard and demanding taskmaster, never willing to accept less than one's best efforts, but quick to encourage the creativity he found in each of his students. In addition to his other talents, he was a master of constructive criticism, pointing out not only the flaws in one's work, but also successful bits which only encouraged us to do better next time. One of my favorite sayings that he imparted on us from time to time was "A thing is what it is in relation to what it is not". Another way of saying that all things are relative, I suppose. In his case, because of his work and his teaching, he left this world a better place than before.
Charles Johnson
August 9, 2011
I was a former student in his pin hole camera class back in 1970. He taught that class like he lived life, full of wonderment and joy.
Cindy and Rodger Williams
August 9, 2011
I worked at the Art Department right after he left - but he would come back all the time. He was a really great guy. He will truly be missed. To his family - remember that you will be our thoughts and prayers always.
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