William Joe Sanford Jr.

William Joe Sanford, Jr., 87, of Marietta, Georgia passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 12, 2022.

Bill was born in Clarkdale, Georgia on March 29, 1935 to the late William Joe Sanford, Sr. and Ola Craton Sanford. He is preceded in death by his sister Joan Sanford Griffin and his brother Levi Henry Sanford.

Bill graduated from South Cobb High School in 1955, and then worked for three years as a Metal Fabricator and Inspector for the Shower Door Company of America. He was drafted into the United States Army in January 1958 and served honorably as a Personnel Specialist until his discharge in April 1960. Bill found his true career working in warehouse distribution operations for the next 33 years. He worked as a supervisor and manager for Warehouse Distributors, Maremont Corporation and then Atlanta Bonded Warehouse, where he retired in February, 1997.

Bill married his high school sweetheart, Mary Johnson Sanford on August 24, 1957 at Milford Baptist Church. He was a faithful member of Milford Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia and later, a member of Mt. Harmony Baptist Church in Mableton, Georgia. Bill's church ministries included serving as a Deacon, Single Adult Director and Youth Coordinator at Milford Baptist Church. Bill and his wife Mary were charter members of the South Cobb Yellow Rocks Square Dance Club. Bill and Mary resided in Mableton for 45 years. They were homeowners in the Lake Wedowee, AL community for 15 years.

Bill is survived by his wife of 64 years, Mary Johnson Sanford, daughters Brenda Sanford Raymond, Peggy Sanford Hurst and husband Joseph Hurst of Marietta, Georgia. Granddaughters include Hallie Michelle Raymond, Hannah Raymond Guitz and husband Esteban Guitz, and Hope McKenzie Raymond, all of Ft. Worth, TX. Grandsons include Cary William Hurst, Philip Sanford Hurst and Michael Joseph Hurst, all of Marietta, Georgia. Bill also had three great-grandchildren, and many cherished nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends and family on Friday, April 15 from 12:00-2:00 PM at West Cobb Funeral Home in Marietta, Georgia, with funeral following at 2:00 PM. Graveside service will immediately follow at Cheatham Hill Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mt. Harmony Baptist Church Building Fund, Mableton, Georgia.