Billy Newton Sanford, 75, of Wetumpka, Alabama, died on December 2, 2022. Billy was born on June 17, 1947, as the youngest of five children to Emmett Cecil Sanford and Mable Pauline Carmichael Sanford of Jasper, Alabama. Born six weeks premature, Billy was initially not expected to survive and was sent home with a birth certificate simply labeled “Baby Sanford.” However, as he did throughout his life he fought against wrong expectations and ended up thriving.
Raised on the family farm in north Alabama, Billy graduated from Walker County High School, where he lettered in football. He earned an associate in science degree from Walker Junior College in Jasper in 1966 before earning a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Alabama in 1970.
During his freshman English class at the University of Alabama, Billy met the love of his life, Mary Jane Childress. They married in 1968 and remained together for 54 years until his passing. They had two sons, Jason and Craig.
Billy worked for two years with the University of Alabama Civil Engineering Research Department and was then employed by Gilbreath Foster & Brooks as a project engineer and Colonial Properties of Montgomery as a project manager for mall construction. In 1974 he and his friend and fellow engineer Ronald L. Bell founded Consulting Engineering Services, later renamed Sanford Bell and Associates. Together they designed a number of high-profile projects across Alabama and the Southeast, including the Wynlakes subdivision in Montgomery, Victoryland in Macon County, Emerald Mountain in Elmore County, the Emerald Mountain toll bridge, and numerous roadways, malls and shopping centers.
Billy also retired as a Lieutenant Colonel after 30 years of service in the Alabama Army National Guard. He initially served in the infantry before transferring to ordinance. His last posting was in the Directorate of Operational Readiness where he helped create realistic training that prepared countless soldiers for success and survival on the battlefield. During his service Billy was decorated with the Legion of Merit, the Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal.
Billy loved the outdoors and spent many hours golfing with his friends. He also camped out every December with his sons in Aliceville, Alabama. When his oldest son was young, the two of them slept by the fire there while listening to coyotes howling in the nearby fields and forests. Billy calmed a fearful Jason until his son fell asleep by telling him where the coyotes were merely by the sounds they made. It was also in Aliceville that Billy attempted to save a drowning groundhog while canoeing with Craig along a tributary of the Tombigbee River. The groundhog was not appreciative and ended up dumping Billy and Craig in the freezing water, a story that quickly became family lore.
Billy is survived by his wife Mary Jane and sons Jason (Jennifer) and Craig (Charity), grandchildren Jai, Miles, Logan, Emmett, and Hayden, his brother Edward Michael Sanford (Nelda) of Fairhope, Alabama, sister Mary Ardeean Sanford Lee (Joe) of Moody, Alabama, and many loving nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents and brothers Emmett Cecil Sanford, Jr. (Kay) Vernon, Alabama, and Dr. Jon Emory Sanford (Mary Anne) of Fayette, Alabama.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Thursday, December 8, 2022, with visitation at 9 am and the memorial at 10 am, at Grace Pointe Church of Christ, located at 1565 Ray Thorington Road, Montgomery, Alabama 36117. The burial will take place following the service at Montgomery Memorial Cemetery.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Leak-MC.com for the Sanford family.
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