Obituary of Col. Walter Howard Sanders

Lt. Col. Walter Howard Sanders, USAF(ret.) was born January 1, 1934 in Marietta, Georgia to parents Parker Manual and Flossie Mae Sanders. He graduated from Messick High School in 1952 and Memphis State College in 1957.After completing AFROTC he become a Commissioned Officer in the Air Force. He stayed with Strategic Air Command (SAC) his whole career with stations at Altus, Wright-Patterson, Barksdale, Minot and Carswell AFB. As a dedicated military patriot, he earned many medals including the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Force Commendation Medal with cluster, the Air Medal with four clusters and the Republic of Vietnam Service Campaine Medal. After serving 28 years in the Air Force, he retired in 1985 from Carswell AFB Fort Worth, Texas.He had a true love for the game of golf, He volunteered at the Colonial Golf Tournament for 36 years. He participated and helped run retired military leagues and tournaments. He also ran the local Optimist Junior Golf Tournament for many years along with being an Official at the International Junior Golf Championships in Florida. He served as the President of the local Optimist Club.“Colonel Sanders, Sandy, Chicken Man, Walt” as he was known to many, was highly respected by all who knew him. He had a kind heart and was loved by all. His children, family and friends were always at the forefront of his thoughts.He is survived by his sons, Steve Sanders and Tony Sanders and wife, Debbie; daughters, Sherry Sitton and husband, Bob, Lisa Sanders and Lynn Akers and husband, Jeff; grandchildren, Lindsay Simon and husband, Chris, David Akers and Jonathan Akers; great grandchildren, Harper Simon and Avery Simon; sister, Betty Marmaro and husband, Rudy; and many nieces and nephews.