Robert B. “Bobby” Sanders died Tuesday, May 31, 2011, at River Region Medical Center. He was 75.

Born in Utica, he was the son of the late John Henry Sanders and Lucy Crawford Sanders. Mr. Sanders was a graduate of Utica High School and attended Mississippi College. He retired from LeTourneau Company on March 1, 2009, with 54 years of service.

Mr. Sanders was a member of Immanuel Baptist Church.

He is survived by his wife, Janie H. Sanders; two daughters, Leslie Sanders Decareaux of Vicksburg and Terry Godwin (Bobby) of Vicksburg; four granddaughters, Bridgette Hoben (Nathan), Christie Morgan (Todd), Heather Blok (Jaime) and Jenny Sanders; two grandsons, Clayton Cochran and Chris Sanders; 10 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Lorraine Elmerick of Raymond and Eunice Waggener of California.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Mary Sanders; a son, Gary Sanders; one sister; and three brothers.

Celebration of Life services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Riles Funeral Home with the Rev. Billy Brumfield, pastor of Immanuel Baptist Church, and the Rev. Tim Brown, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, officiating. Private family interment services will be at the Hilderbrand Family Cemetery under the direction of Riles Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 5 until 7 tonight at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Benjie Thomas, Ronnie Crawford, Marshall Thomas, Jaime Blok, Clayton Cochran, Ted Long, David Cochran and Mark Frazier.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jack Crawford, Billy Beasley, Bill Thomas, Allen Parsons, John (Bo-D) Massey, Dr. Eugene Ferris, Dr. Bob Ford, Dr. Michael Davis, Dr. Hildon Sessums and Dr. Paul Pierce IV.

Memorials may be made to Immanuel Baptist Church, 6949 U.S. 61 South, Vicksburg, MS 39180.