We regret to record the death of Mr William Benjamin Sanders, (senr), of Moorland House, The Hayway, Rushden, who passed away after a brief illness, on Monday afternoon. Aged 78 years, he had been able to take gentle exercise until quite recently, and was often seen in the town. Mr Sanders was born in Rushden, and married a Rushden lady, Miss White. He entered the boot trade as a youth and some 56 years ago joined with his brother Thomas in establishing a business in High-street, the premises being two stone built cottages at the top of Station-road. That business, under the style of Sanders and Sanders, has continued in the hands of the family and without a break until the present day—a record which few firms in the district have equalled. A factory, now occupied by Messrs H Ingle and Sons, was built on the site of the cottages, and about 21 years ago the business was removed to Spencer-road. Mr Sanders retired in 1924, when the factory was destroyed by fire, leaving the future of a new factory erected on the same spot in the capable hands of three sons. Mr Sanders was content with a moderate share of public work, yet many times showed that he had the welfare of the town deeply at heart. He was for many years a member of the School Managers, zealous in the Liberal cause, and a devoted worshipper at the Park-road Baptist Church, serving on the Finance Committee and as a Trustee. The grounds of his residence were often thrown open for garden parties. Mr Sanders was a director of the Rushden and Higham Ferrers Gas Co. From its establishment in Shirley-road, a director of the Rushden Coffee Tavern, and a director of the Victoria leather Co., Higham Ferrers. Mrs Sanders survives her husband, and there are six daughters and four sons. One of the daughters is in India, another in Canada, and a son in British Columbia. The Funeral The funeral took place at Rushden yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, when there was a service for the family and a few close friends at Moorland House, The Hayway. The officiating minister was the Rev H J Horn, formerly of the Rushden Park-road Baptist Church, and now of Purley. At the cemetery, where the interment took place at 2.45, Mr Horn was assisted by the rev T W Gill, the present pastor of the Park-road Baptist Church. The approach to the gates was lined by the employees of Messrs Sanders and Sanders, eight of whom were the coffin bearers: Messrs H Scholes (40 years’ service), J Sargent (30), W Bailey (27), E Robinson (26), H C Green (25), A Draper (25), H D Knight (24), and W Cumberpatch (17). The chief mourners attending the cemetery were Mr W B Sanders, Mr T Sanders, Mr A L Sanders (sons), Mr T Denton (son-in-law), Mr W Lack, Mr H Lack (nephews), Mr C A K Green, Mr F Corby, Mr J M Bailey M.C., Mr Brudenell, and Mr Mantle (gardener). Others present included Mr Frank Sharwood C.C. (president), Mr S C Brightwell (secretary, of the Rushden and District Boot Manufacturers’ Association; Ald. C W Horrell, Mr A O Groome, representing the Victoria Leather Co., Higham Ferrers; Mr W McC Horrell, Mr H H Selwood, Mr H R Patenall, Mr C W S Green, Mr W Tarry, Mr A Sargent, Mr H Wright, Mr G S Mason, Mr A T Watson, Mr W H Spicer, Mr A T Chambers (Rushden and Higham Ferrers District Gas Co.); Mr F L Heygate, Mr W L Beetenson, Mr C Partridge, Mr C H Blunsom, Mr Bennett; Mr J Sykes (Park-road Baptist Church); Mr George Bayes, Mr A Wright (Waverley Hotel); Mr W Childs (Rushden Heel Co.), Mr White (Messrs Seddon and Arlidge), Mr A J Faulkner (Messrs H T Pearson and Co Ltd.), Mr H Croft (Liverpool and London and Globe Insurance Co.), Mr W H Cattell (Messrs Geo Morris and Sons Ltd.), and Mr Peppitt, of Pertenhall. Among those who sent wreaths were the Employees and Staff of Sanders and Sanders; Directors and Staff, Waverley Hotel Ltd., the Victoria Leather Co. Ltd., Directors and Officials of the Rushden and Higham Ferrers District Gas Co. The grave was lined with evergreen on a white background. Messrs T Swindall and Sons were the undertakers.