Walter Sanders

Walter “Champ” Sanders of Riverhead died June 11. He was 90. 

Mr. Sanders was born June 20, 1923, in Eastman, Ga. to Ellen and Benjamin Swint and later moved to Miami, Fla. As a young man, he left home to work as a handyman for Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Circus. Mr. Sanders later moved to Philadelphia, Pa. to live with relatives before joining the U.S. Army. He was honorably discharged in 1942 and moved to Riverhead.

While living in Riverhead, Mr. Sanders worked for Mayflower Moving Company. He traveled throughout the country and was later promoted to supervisor. He married Lucille Hayes in 1963.

Family members said Mr. Sanders loved playing golf, reading, holding political debates, jazz and weight lifting, which did until he was 90.

Mr. Sanders was predeceased by his wife in 2007 and by his stepdaughter, Delores Greene and is survived by his daughter, Ellen Sanders-Coles; his stepmother, Naomi Swint; his stepsister, Bernice Swint; two grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and many other relatives.

The family received visitors June 20 at Galilee Church of God in Christ in Riverhead. Interment took place at Calverton National Cemetery.

Arrangements were handled by Seay Memorial Chapel in Riverhead.