W. R. Sanders, age 89, of Paducah passed away at 12:40 p.m. Friday, August 2, 2024, at Baptist Health Paducah. W.R. was a long-time member of the First Christian Church where he was an Elder Emeritus. He was the founder and coordinator of the Breakfast Ministry at First Christian Church. He built two large steel cookers for church picnics and the cooking team became known as “The Holy Smokers.” W.R. organized a popular car show at the First Christian Church Parking Lot. W.R. and his friend, Don Leneave, operated W R & Don Racing. They built several cars during the 1950s through the 1970’s. Don did the building and W.R. did the driving. Most people remember them racing from St. Louis to Atlanta, Memphis, Bowling Green, Sturgis, and Detroit. They set a National Record that was never broken in 1960 in the cities of Detroit and Indianapolis. W.R. held the NHRA Record in 1964. In all races they attended, they either came home with a trophy or money. W.R. won for Best Engineer and Best Appearing at the car show with his 1933 Willis.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Ray Sanders, one sister, Delorice Jean Sanders Upchurch, and two sons, Dean Sanders and Bill Sanders.
Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Betty Jane “BC” Scott Sanders; one daughter, Christy Dawn Sanders Bensen of Paducah; one granddaughter, McKayla (Matt) Everly of Hickory, Kentucky; two great-grandchildren, Anistyn Everly, and Rylan Powell; one nephew, Terry Lee (Kim) Bell and one niece, Lisa Elliott.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, August 5, 2024 at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah with Revs. Jamie Eubanks and Mary Ann Lankton officiating. Burial will follow at the Bethel Christian Church Cemetery. Visitation will be held Monday, August 5, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until service time of 1:00 p.m. at the Milner & Orr Funeral Home of Paducah.
Expression of sympathy may be made to Paducah Community Kitchen, 1237 Martin Luther King Drive, Paducah, KY 42001, or to First Christian Church, 415 Audubon Drive, Paducah, KY 42001.
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