Funeral Services for Mr. Wilmer Sanford will be held at 11:00am on Friday, March 29, 2024, in the Wade Funeral Home Chapel. Mr. Sanford, age 84, passed away from this life on Sunday, March 24, 2024, in Collins. Reverend Ronald Purser and Reverend Josh Smith will officiate and Mrs. Darlene Lyons serve as pianist. Interment with Masonic Rites will be in the Collins City Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Clint McDonald, Jason McDonald, Lane Sanford, Glenn Sasser, Richard Sanford, and Steve Pickering. Ed Jordan will serve as Honorary Pallbearer.

Wade Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Wilmer Sanford was born on April 17, 1939, in Sanford to Harvey and Zadie Allen Sanford He was the oldest of the five Sanford Children. Mr. Sanford was a carpenter and formerly taught carpentry at the Covington County Vocational-Technical Center. He was a member of the Olive Branch #34 Masonic Lodge and Mt. Horeb Baptist Church.

Wilmer Sanford loved his family dearly and his greatest joy was spending time with every one of them. He loved helping people and sharing his talents and knowledge that God had blessed him with to help others. Wilmer Sanford enjoyed hunting and fishing, and he made many friends. He loved music, and taught himself to play piano, guitar, and mandolin.

He was a very humble man and was very much loved by his family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

Mr. Sanford was preceded in death by his mother and father; 1 brother Rodney Sanford; and 2 nieces, Sandra Hooks Ross and Anita Gayle Hooks Cluff.

He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Peggy Ward Sanford of Collins; daughter, Denise Sanford Laird (Jessie) of Hattiesburg; son, David Sanford (Shannon) of Collins; 5 beloved granddaughters, Ashley Sanford and Alyssa Sanford of Collins, Haley Smith (Josh), Hannah Laird, and Hollie Grace Laird, all of Hattiesburg; 2 great-grandsons, Elijah Smith and Ezra Smith, of Hattiesburg; 2 step-great-grandchildren, Julia Smith and Alex Smith of Petal; 2 sisters, Laverne McDonald (Don) and Winnie Hooks (Sammy Glen), all of Collins; and 1 brother, Bobby Sanford (Clara) of Escatwpa; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

The visitation will be from 5:30pm until 8:00pm on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at Wade Funeral Home.