Robbie Sanders

Robert “Robbie” Alan Sanders, 79, of Big Spring, Texas, died Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at his home. The funeral service will be held at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel, Friday, January 20, 2023 at 2:00 PM with interment at Trinity Memorial Park to follow. The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday, January 19, 2023 at the funeral home.

Robbie was born in Big Spring, February 14, 1943, the son of the late Garland Sanders and Dorothy (Stroup) Sanders. He was a proud graduate of Big Spring High School. As a young man, he worked for his father’s Trucking Company (Garland Sanders Trucking) hauling cotton bales and seed to area communities. He served in the 49th Army National Guard from 1961 to 1963. He had been a member of the Big Spring Police Department and later became a deputy sheriff in Odessa, TX.

Throughout Robbie’s life he had a need for speed. He loved fast cars, boats, motorcycles and airplanes. Several including corvettes, his 1963 Chevrolet Biscayne and Mako motorcycle. He had professionally raced cars, motorcycles, boats and had also obtained his pilot’s license before he was old enough to drive. He was one of the youngest individuals to become a licensed pilot and this would translate into a career in commercial flying. He was a civilian flight instructor for the United States Air Force. He worked in the area of air charter flying and also had done some cargo flying. Among the companies he had worked with or for were, Basin Aviation, Cactus Drilling, and Cardinal Chemical. Some of his flying also included cargo flights into Mexico. At one point in his life, while living in Harlingen, TX he had owned and operated 2 BYOB water stores. He later sold these and moved back to Big Spring.

In his racing endeavors, Robbie was a successful drag boat racer and promoter. He raced flat bottom boats and held several records and championships in the top alcohol flat and unblown gas flat bottom division. He also enjoyed riding motorcycles especially when he and his wife, Debra could be out together on their Boss Hoss bikes. A man of faith, he was a member of the First Baptist Church of Big Spring.

Robbie is survived by his wife, Debra (Wheat) Sanders, whom he married on November 10, 1987. Two sons, Robert Sanders and girlfriend Sherry, and Bryan Sanders and wife Dorri; two brothers, Ronald Sanders and wife Vera and Derrell Sanders and wife Pam. His niece Deryl Dee (Mark Newby) and nephews, Steve and Beth Sanders, Kelly and Lisa Sanders, and Jeff Sanders and girlfriend Pam. His extended family, brother-in-law and wife, Larry and Kathy Wheat, his niece Tiffany and husband Adam Parker, and their children, Mackenzy, Ava and Wyatt, and nephew Anthony and wife Hilary Wheat and their children, Aiden and Carter and a host of friends.

Pallbearers will be Jeff Sanders, Steve Sanders, Anthony Wheat, Adam Parker, Joe Spencer and Curtis Pyatt. Honorary Pallbearers will be Ronnie Reagan, Donnie Reagan, Johnny Freeman, Jack Langley, Bingo Martin, Jeff Turney, Gary Gee, Don Brodie, Micah Hugo, O.B. Murphy, Steve Everett, Bo Thorton, Rick Sullivan, Dave Carr and Walter Goodloe.

He was preceded in death by his parents and several aunts and uncles.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com

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