William M. Sanders

William M. Sanders, 84, of Iowa Falls, Iowa passed away on Thursday, November 14, 2024, at Ashbrook Assisted Living in Iowa Falls surrounded by family. A celebration of life will be held Monday, November 25, 2024, from 10-12 at Adams Celebration of Life in Owasa, Iowa. A luncheon will be served at this time.  The family will hold a private family burial.   With honor, Adams Celebration of Life is serving the family.

William Manford Craig was born to Horace E. Craig and Mary Irene (Scarrow) Craig on July 31, 1940. To that marriage Bill’s sister Mary Jo was born on March 25, 1943.  Bill’s father, Horace later died in a farming accident on August 4, 1943.  

On June 12, 1948, Mary was united in marriage to William Sanders and in August of 1949 William adopted Bill and Mary Jo. From that marriage Bill gained two brothers. Randy was born on May 11, 1952, and Verne was born on July 18, 1955. 

Bill graduated from Hampton High school in 1958. He worked a variety of jobs until he enlisted in the US Army. He had basic training at Fort Carson Colorado and second eight at Fort Bliss Texas. Bill trained as a guided missile crewman on the Nike A Jax and Nike Hercules. He was then sent to Germany where the Army converted him to a truck driver. After 30 months in Germany, he was discharged in January of 1963. 

After returning from Germany Bill worked several jobs before starting at Farmland Foods where he remained until the plant closed in May of 1989. After Farmland closed Bill again had a variety of jobs. 

He was united in marriage to Shirley Ann Willms on November 27, 1964. Bill and Shirley loved to travel and were fortunate enough to spend their winters in the Florida Panhandle. Bill became a friend of Bill W on February 16, 1981.

Bill is survived by his wife Shirley; brothers Randy (Sherry), Verne (Brenda) and many nephews and nieces.