Raymond Wesley Sanders

Raymond Wesley Sanders, 88, of Washington, Illinois died peacefully on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at 1 am at Morton Terrace HealthCare Center in Morton. He was born on October 7, 1927 to Warren and Gladys Bates Sanders in Rutland, Illinois. He married Thais “Ty” Copley on his birthday, October 7, 1951 in Streator, Illinois. She survives. Other survivors include their three daughters Jamie (Jim Witt) Sanders of Texas, Lynn (Bruce) Branham of Champaign and Elizabeth Sanders of Chicago. Also surviving are six grandchildren: Tara Witt of New Hampshire, Matthew (Daphne) Branham of St. Louis, Lucas Branham of Seattle, Erin (Colin) Reece of Texas, Jordan (Mamie) Branham of Champaign and Ben Branham of Champaign. Ray has one great-grandson, Griffin Reece of Texas. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers. Ray attended Rutland High School where he was an exceptional athlete. He played basketball and was an outstanding baseball pitcher. When he served in the United States Air Force during the occupation of Japan after WWII, his primary responsibility was to pitch for the Air Force baseball team. Ray was so valued in that role that when he was leaving Japan at the end of his service, a captain sent a helicopter to the tarmac to persuade him to reenlist so he could continue pitching for the team. Instead he returned to the States where he attended Illinois State Normal University and graduated with a bachelor of science degree in education in 1951. Ray began his teaching career at Central Junior High School in East Peoria (1951-1953) and Washington Grade School in Washington (1953-1955) where he taught history and social studies as well as being the basketball coach. Then he was hired by East Peoria High School where he was a respected teacher for 33 years, impacting the lives of thousands of students. He was also the Social Studies Department Chair for many years. He retired in 1988. Ray will be remembered for his consummate work ethic. While teaching full-time, he took graduate classes at ISU, earning a master of science degree in education in 1960. Also during his teaching years, he accepted many extra-duty jobs at EPCHS and worked full-time at Producers Dairy during the summer. Ray was known for his integrity, his generosity, his commitment to physical fitness and his deep devotion to his family and his beloved Scottie dogs. Funeral services will be held at 1 pm on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at Crossroads United Methodist Church in Washington, Illinois. Pastor Jason Woolever will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, September 9 from 4 to 6 pm at the church. Deiters Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Burial will be at Glendale Cemetery in Washington. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Raymond Wesley Sanders

October 7, 1927 - September 6, 2016