Virgil Sanders, Sr., a resident of Noble, died April 5, 2017 in Noble at the age of 73. He was born April 18, 1943 in Bryant to Fannie Watson. Virgil worked as an explosives technician for the Army Ammunition Depot.
Virgil was a veteran of the Vietnam War serving with the United States Army receiving the Purple Heart Award.
He is preceded in death by his mother, Fannie Watson, brothers, Sidney Watson, Ray Watson, Bunny Carter, Albert Pace, and his wife Dorothy Sanders.
He is survived by: Tyler Sanders and wife Rebecca of the home, Virgil Sanders, Jr. and wife Melissa of Okmulgee, Sammi Sanders and wife Kendra of Okmulgee, Bryan Sanders of Okmulgee; Nick Sanders of Okmulgee, T. J. Sanders of Okmulgee; Patrick Berryhill of Okmulgee, Pamela Culley of Okmulgee; Melinda Sanders of Tulsa, Polly Sanders of Tulsa; Angela Culley of Tulsa, Yvonne Walker of Moore; Willow Denis Nimmo of Noble, Richard Walker of Kansas; Darrell Sims of McAlester, Rhonda Sims Mitchell of McAlester; Patsy Mann of Oklahoma City; sister, Virgie "Sue" Poe and husband George of Arkansas; brother, Rex Watson of Okmulgee; 54 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; as well as a host of friends and other relatives.
Viewing for Virgil will be Sunday, April 9th from 1 until 3 p.m. at Integrity Funeral Service. A wake service will be conducted Sunday, April 9th at 7 p.m. at Arbeka Indian Baptist Church.
Pallbearers will be Kevin Watson, Julian Watson, John Poe, Jody Carter, Levi Culley and Sidney Ray Pilley. Honorary pallbearers will be Tafv Sanders, Darryl Tiger, Kendal Burgess, Leon Watson, and Johnny Ray Watson.
Funeral services are scheduled for 1 p.m., Monday, April 10, 2017 at Arbeka Indian Baptist Church with Rev. Marvin Lowe officiating. Interment will follow in Arbeka Church Cemetery under direction of Integrity Funeral Service.