Billy Sanders Sr

Billy Christopher Sanders Sr, age 86, was born on April 8, 1934, and passed away on March 21, 2021. Billy is now in peace with the Lord and has joined his loving wife, Sue Ellen Rivers Sanders, who passed away on September 6, 1990. Billy was born in Zwolle, Louisiana, but moved to Baton Rouge, Louisiana after he and Sue married on January 6, 1955. Billy was a graduate of Zwolle High School. Billy joined the Baton Rouge Police Department in 1955 and retired in 1987. He served his community well.  After 32 years of service, he retired at the rank of Major. Billy was a member of St. Gerard’s Catholic Church. Billy loved his family and was especially happy when everyone visited him. He would give his family his last dollar and he never asked for anything in return. His four children agree that he is our first and greatest HERO.  He loved family and friend gatherings at his camp on Toledo Bend Lake.  He was so proud that he could afford things for us on a policeman’s salary.  He was especially known for giving us anything that we wanted even if he had to cut it out of the Sears catalog when we were young. As a policeman, he didn’t have a lot of time to go to all of his sons’ football games but he surely tried to go to his grandchildren’s football and hockey games.  All of his

grandchildren want you to know, Paw-Paw, you’re dear to our hearts, forever.  Billy loved all of his pets too.  He loved fishing and boat riding with his children. He also loved travel adventures. He loved cruises as long as he didn’t have to fly to the departure port. He would never fly because he always said, “while it may not be my time to depart this world...it surely might be another passenger’s time!” There was also a “special train ride” as one of his father-daughter dates.  Billy was an LSU Tiger fan for life!

Billy said that he was blessed with two great loves as he married Margaret Nell Temple Lowe on May 25, 2002. They married in Albany, Louisiana. She has four children. The Lowe family loved their Pop. He loved them dearly as well. Billy was so impressed by how musically talented they all were,

including Nell, his wife. Billy enjoyed visiting his four bonus children in Albany, Louisiana, where they would cook and play games all day. They have fond memories of playing cards with him and visiting him in Baton Rouge or at the Toledo Bend Lake home.

A devoted husband, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, brother-in-law, uncle,

Godfather and friend; is survived by his wife, Margaret Nell Lowe Sanders; daughters, Debra J. Sanders; Pamela Sanders Bloom and husband Gerard; Wendy Lowe; sons, William C. Sanders, Jr. and wife Sandra; Michael J. Sanders and wife Staci; David Lowe and wife Liz; Bobby Lowe and wife

Dianne; Glen Lowe and wife Christy; sisters, Ann Sanders Strickland; Patricia Sanders Blanchard and husband Louis; grandchildren, Christopher Brumfield; Megan Bloom; Eric Schatzle; Whitney Dougherty and husband Ryan; Patrick Bloom and wife Devyn; Trent Sanders; Trey Sanders; Cameron Sanders; Phillip Lafleur and wife Desiree;  Ashley LaFleur; Andrea Peters; Ashley L. Boone; Brittany L. Troxclair; Crystal Lowe; Courtney Lowe; Dalton Lowe; Caleb Lowe; great grandchildren, Addison Brumfield; Laney Brumfield; Calli Dougherty; Olivia Dougherty; Amelia Dougherty; Raylynn Sanders; Brayla Sanders; Daniel Sanders; Jayden Sanders; Kinsley Sanders; Cody Peters; Makayla

Peters; Madison Amos; Amerie Freeman; Carter Lato, brother-in-law, Jimmy Rivers and wife Cheryl, sister-in-law, Dorothy Sanders, nieces, Terri Arnold and husband Rodney, Wanda Campbell; Tammy Alexander; Lisa Olson and husband Mark; Goddaughter Cathy Sanders Santana and husband Jose;

Jennifer Blanchard and fiance’ Alex Polillo; nephews, Odis Sanders, Jr.; Chad Sanders and wife Michelle; Chris Lewis; Randy Lewis and wife Janice; Tim Lewis; and special friend Jeannette Dupas Walker.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Sue Ellen Rivers Sanders; parents, Henry Sanders and Agnes Meshell Sanders; brothers, Sam Junior Sanders; Michael Sanders; Linda Dean Sanders; Fred Sanders and wife Norma; Odis Marvin Sanders, Sr.; Bobby Ray Sanders and wife Dorothy; Larry James Sanders; great granddaughter, Brennan Rivers Bloom; nephew, Danny Dew; Aunt Shirley Lewis Wells; and numerous other loved ones.

Visiting hours will take place at Resthaven Funeral Home on Jefferson Hwy. on Thursday and

Friday, March 25 & 26 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm. Visiting hours will take place at St. Gerard Catholic Church on Plank Road on Saturday, March 27 at 9:00 am and Mass will be at 10:00 am. Burial will follow at Resthaven Gardens of Memory on Jefferson Hwy.

Flowers may be sent to Resthaven Funeral Home on Jefferson Hwy or in lieu of flowers you may donate to the Capital Area Law Enforcement Foundation (CALEF).

The family of Major Billy C. Sanders wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Pat and Cathy Mitchell of The Carpenter House Hospice. Doctors; Donthineni, Nuss, Nurses; Tregvea, Chad, Trudy, Natalie, Tracy, Brandie, Hope, and Karoline; CNAs; Margaret, Debra, Brenda, Nicole, Willie, and all other staff members.

Family and friends may sign the online guestbook or leave a personal note to the family at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.