William Scott Sanders

October 27, 2022

CHARLOTTE – William Scott Sanders, 53, of Charlotte, died Thursday, October 27, 2022, from head and neck cancer.  Scott, as he was known to all, was born on January 12, 1969 in Chattanooga, TN to William Newton Sanders and Carolyn Smith Sanders.  He shared the same birthday as his mother, who preceded him in death.

Scott lived in Tennessee for the first fourteen years of his life, attending the McCallie School.  He then moved to Maryland, where he attended and graduated from the McDonogh School.  It was there where he met Boyd Byrd and Ken Klaff, whom he considered as his brothers.  

Scott earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Tampa.  Since 2015 he worked for Cornerstone on Demand, based in Santa Monica, CA.  Scott was blessed with an excellent team; Jim Gill is the definition of a leader and friend.

Scott was an avid sports fan, especially baseball, which he played from childhood.  He supported his beloved Baltimore Orioles even when playing badly.  His true joy, however, was found in watching his son Will play and in coaching numerous teams.  Scott could always be found cheering for Will with Dilworth Little League, Providence Day middle school team, and the Stampede.  He coached numerous teams, most recently the Matthews American Legion Hooks-Orr Post 235 team with Steve Brooks.  Hooks-Orr juniors team was second in North Carolina in 2021 - Scott coached them even as he was struggling with radiation complications.  It would be difficult to overestimate the role being a baseball dad and coaching played in Scott’s life.

Scott is survived by his beloved wife of eighteen years, Dr. Nikki Koklanaris; his son, the light of his life, William James Sanders; father, William Newton Sanders of Reddington Shores, FL; and his uncle, Dr. Guy Robert “Bob” Sanders of Cleveland, TN.  He is also survived by his in-laws to whom he was considered a son, brother, and uncle: Dr. Emmanuel and Lambra Koklanaris of Wilmington, NC; Dena Koklanaris of Palm Harbor, FL; Maria Koklanaris Bonaquist, Ray Bonaquist, Marc Bonaquist of Oakton, VA, Anna Bonaquist of Richmond, VA; George, Libby and Athena Koklanaris of Great Falls, VA, as well as many extended Koklanaris and Kehris family members who considered him their own. 

Also surviving are his legions of friends: Leslie Klaff; Bruce and Vicki Finkelstein; Simon and Bike Howard; Steve and Monique Brooks; Boris Krivitsky and Alyssa Mills; Charlie and Nina Edwards; Fr. Gregory and Presbytera Tara Georgiou; George Demakis and Maria Papanikolaou, and many others.  Scott is also survived by Miss Camden Yards Kokanaris-Sanders, his beloved bulldog.  The epitome of a true and faithful companion, she rarely left his side, and was with him at the end.

The family is forever grateful for Scott’s outstanding medical care team of Daniel Carrizosa, MD, Matthew Ward, MD, and Shenita Spencer-Moore, MD.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church.  Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be offered in memory of Scott to: St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church, Attn: Ministry Center Building Fund, basketball court, Scott Sanders, 5108 Kuykendall Rd, Charlotte, NC 28270 (From donations link, choose “other donations” and note “Scott Sanders” in open field https://www.eservicepayments.com/cgi-bin/Vanco_ver3.vps?appver3=Fi1giPL8kwX_Oe1AO50jRq69v6G0XlaKN4LvYR7UUUzHO3iVYxvvxhHjRfLOeq662EvVVAEjqawDomKT1pbouQWaCo6PUDaZq_MoEFZDFw4= or American Legion Hooks-Orr Post 235 baseball team, Matthews Post 235, P.O. Box 3367, Matthews, NC  28106.  Check should be made payable to:  Matthews Post 235 (include on Memo line: Scott Sanders/Baseball) https://www.matthewspost235.org/donate

                                                                                                                                                                                               

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Comments

  • albert olson

    i was a friend of Scott's at McDonogh. We shared a lot of laughs - particularly playing junior varsity baseball under Coach Poklemba. I am not at all surprised to hear that he became an outstanding coach! The smile from the pictures above is immediately familiar, as well. I don't think i can remember what he looks like not smiling. My condolences to his family; so very sad that he passed away so young, and that he had to suffer through such a rotten illness.

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  • Keith Goode

    Grateful for the opportunity to have worked with Scott, his realistic approach to work, and life will always be remembered. Thoughts and prayers for Scott’s family and friends.

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