Jay Willard Sanders, a resident his entire life, passed away at his home on Monday, January 27, 2025. He is survived by his wife Donita Sanders, grandson Jon Cole Sanders, brother Brian Sanders, sisters Sharon Dever and Angela Cotton, loving nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his son DJ Sanders, parents Willard Sanders and Grace Ford, sister Karen Sanders.

Having started work at a very young age, operating equipment, his talents are too many to list. They range from carpentry, gardening, and excavation. Never a lazy man, whom his father taught him the value of a work ethic. His father, Willard Sanders, also an equipment operator, retired from Waterways. Thus, this trait has continued to pass down to Jay and then to our son, DJ, and now to our grandson, Jon Cole.

Jay's hobbies included hunting, fishing, live stock, gardening, being on the river and anything outdoors. Jay was a man that could live off the land, a true survivor. He was looking forward to getting back out on the river, picking up those hobbies he most enjoyed. However, in the end, joy, peace and pride of seeing the fine job DJ did in raising our grandson, seeing that same trait exhibited by Jon Cole touched his heart more than anything. It helped him cope with the loss of our son.

Pallbearers will be Colby Broome, Philip Brown, Tim Hicks, Chris Mitchell, Ronnie Muirhead and Clint Sanders.

Services will be held at Fisher-Riles Funeral Home, 5000 Indiana Avenue, Vicksburg, MS on Monday, February 3, 2025. Visitation will be from 10-11AM with a service following at 11AM. A graveside service will follow at Cedar Hill Cemetery.