Photo No. 2784

William Sanders Edwards Jr. of Winnie passed away on November 5, 2025. Sandy was born on June 4, 1946, to Yvonne Fitzpatrick Edwards and William Sanders Edwards Sr. in Beaumont, Texas. He grew up in Stowell, Texas and was the oldest of Mr. Billy and Miss Evie's thirteen children. Sandy graduated from Allen Academy in Bryan, Texas in 1965. Shortly after graduation Sandy proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1967-1970. He trained as a Nike Missile Test equipment technician at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama before being transferred to White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. He quickly earned the rank of Specialist 5 and qualified as Expert Rifleman and Marksman Carbine. In 1970, he received an Honorable Discharge and returned to Texas with his family. Sandy went on to work at Gulf States Utilities as a relay technician and retired in 2012 after 32 years from Entergy in Beaumont, Texas.

In his retirement, Sandy loved gardening and sharing his knowledge of gardening with others. He often showed up at the doorsteps of friends and family delivering an abundance of vegetables he had grown. He was always willing to help others, whether it was minor repairs, electrical work, or just being an extra hand. He enjoyed hunting and spending time on his deer lease in Junction for many years. Most importantly, he loved his family and his friends. He was kind and giving to all.

He is survived by his devoted and loving companion, Judy Detrick; children, William S. Edwards III and his wife, Sandra, of Fannett; Christie Kennemer and her husband, Dean Kennemer, of Mont Belvieu; and Judy's son, Stuart Springfield of Melbourne, Australia; grandchildren, Rebecca Monse and her husband, Taylor, of Sour Lake; Brayden Edwards of Fannett; Bryce Kennemer and his wife, Ally, of College Station; Emily Brawner and her husband, Michael, of Mont Belvieu; Johnathan Springfield of Melbourne, Australia; and Jessica Reichert and her husband, Zack, of Dayton, Ohio; great grandchildren, Maeson, Weston, Mady, Peyton, Blair, Charlie, Karson, Kamryn, Addie Claire, Aiden, Lillian, and Alaric; siblings, Bobby Edwards; Susan Bollich; Anne Edwards; Joan Harkins; Jaime Edwards and his wife, Nancy; Stevie Edwards and his wife, Fran; Tim Edwards; David Edwards and his wife, Debbie; Mary Pat Schneider and her husband, John; Tommy Edwards and his wife, Allison; and Chris Edwards.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Mr. Billy and Miss Evie, his brother, Mark, and his brother-in-law Larry Bollich.

A Rosary for Mr. Edwards will be recited at 5:00 p.m., with a gathering of family and friends until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 12, 2025, at Broussard's, 134 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, November 13, 2025, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 315 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. His interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont.