In Memory

Bill Saunders

It is with a heavy heart that I share the passing of Bill Saunders yesterday, July 21, in Greenwood SC. Bill was a faithful husband, father, grandfather, brother and servant of God. He died of a sudden heart attack with his loving wife Marilyn by his side. There will be a Funeral Mass held on Monday, July 25th, at 9:00 am.

Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church
915 Mathis Road
Greenwood, SC 29649

Followed by a burial service at 1:00 pm at

Fort Jackson National Cemetery
4170 Percival Road
Columbia, SC 29229

For anyone travelling from out of town arooms are available at discount rate under the name SAUNDERS

The Fairfield Inn & Suites
527 Bypass 72 NW
Greenwood, SC 29649
(864) 330-3300

Will will provide more information as it is made available. Your continued prayers are appreciated.

Bill Saunders's photo.

 

 



 
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07/25/16 03:59 PM #10    

Nancy Drinkwater (Padjen)

Marilyn, so sorry to hear about Bill's passing.  It hit hard for all of us.  May your memories and the love and prayers of family and friends sustain you now.


07/25/16 04:25 PM #11    

Dale Brown (Butterfield)

Marilyn,  am so very sorry for your loss....  know this is a very difficult time for you and the family.  I can't even begin to imagine all the feelings and loss you are experiencing.  I remember you and Bill fondly from our high school days...  and this loss so suddenly,  just can't express in words what it means to all of us that went to school with you both.  You have my deepest sympathy...  and hugs for you and yours.


07/25/16 04:57 PM #12    

Butch Peterson

I, like everyone, am stunned and saddened by Bill's passing. My thoughts are with Marilyn and the entire Saunders family. My belief is his strength of character was ingrained in his entire family and you will always know you'll always have him when you need him. His faith was strong and it will carry you all through this difficult time. Although Bill and I went back to St A's and our paths took different routes, Everytime I saw him, be it a West Point football game, a reunion or just in passing we always got going like we'd never missed a beat. Class, mischievous sense of humor, intelligent and conversant in so many areas and so positive always. Although a peer, I always admired, respected and looked up to him. I'll miss him. Butch Peterson

07/27/16 06:29 AM #13    

Doug Stormont

Marilyn:

I am very sad to hear about the loss of your husband.  I wanted to see you and him again at the reunion because of have a beautiful memory of  you and Bill as a couple.  My last memory of you both were leaving the high school and waving to me shortly before we graduated as seniors.  I also wanted to know how much Bill meant to me as an Army veteran from West Point because I serve as an usher at my parish church with a West Point graduate who I deeply admire in the same way I care about Bill.

With love and condolences, Doug

 

 

 

 


07/28/16 06:18 PM #14    

Chris Carlson

The quote under Bill's picture in the 1966 Perannos--which I didn't have to look up because I've always known it by heart--was "If I should lose, let me stand by the side of the road and cheer as the winners ride by", and to my mind that describes Bill's character perfectly. Although he was a truly gifted athlete--as well as an excellent student, gaining admission to Princeton as well as an appointment to West Point--Bill was first and foremost a true gentleman and a perfect exemplar of good sportsmanship. He never gloated over victories or complained about defeats, but simply delighted in playing the game to the best of his ability. Bill was always kind and gracious in either victory or defeat, and didn't have a mean bone in his body.

Only a few weeks ago, I had the great good fortune to speak with Bill over the telephone in connection with the planning for the Reunion. We spent about half an hour reminiscing about the old days, and looking forward to the friends we would be able to see in September. He was so excited about coming back to New Canaan and catching up with everyone; his absence will leave (and indeed, has already left) a deep emptiness in all our hearts.

I truly valued, and will always cherish, Bill's friendship. There was no one in our Class for whom I had--and will always have--more admiration and respect.


07/30/16 12:35 PM #15    

Mark Rearick

A beautiful tribute Chris.


07/30/16 04:56 PM #16    

Ed McMahon

I spent three hours chatting with Bill just a few days before he passed. It was a great conversation: Bill was in great spirits and really looking forward to his 50th high school reunion in September. As we concluded our conversation, he called me "brother" twice, something that he had never done before. I'm proud that he thought of me that way and it was more than reciprocal. Our friendship exceeded 5 decades and I am flooded with so many great memories. Bill was a great husband, father, grandfather, soldier, leader, and friend. He was also a man of great faith who lived it every day. My thoughts and prayers go out to his beautiful and loving wife, Marilyn, his family and his many friends. A great man has gone home to "live in the light of The Lord". Well done my brother! RIP and put in a good word for me!


08/03/16 09:15 AM #17    

Bob Janis

Like Butch, I first met Bill with the opening of the doors at the new St A's school. His rare gift of being so self assured without being egotistical was evident early on with his being so humble about the heroic home run kicks he made in our playground kickball games. He was the same after school record breaking basketball games or exhilerating Rams football plays. I have not known many people in my life that embody such honorable character as Bill, not just in sports, but in friendships, whether close or casual. It is evident this enriched his life. My sympathy to Marilyn and family. I trust the loss is tempered by the impact he surely had on those closest to him.


08/15/16 04:04 PM #18    

Polly Schumann (Altizer)

I am so sorry for your loss, Marilyn. This is such a shock! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you grieve. Polly

 

 


09/14/16 10:48 AM #19    

Debi Becker (Darson)

I was sorry and sad to hear of Bill's passing. I have sweet memories of Bill and Marilyn. One in particular comes to mind. Marilyn used to wait for Bill after he had  played basketbal, football or baseball, and Marilyn had cheered Bill and the team on. Bill would walk her home hand in hand. Marilyn said Bill was always starving after the games so she would make him dinner after they got to her house. Marilyn said she would throw a tv dinner in the over, those were the days before microwaves, and after it was heated up she'd place it on a dinner plate so it appeared home cooked, and gave it to a very appreciative Bill. I asked Marilyn one time if she didn't think Bill knew her little secret and she just smiled and said, she rattled a few pans to make it sound like she was cooking from scratch and that if he did know, he never let on. A true honorable gentleman.


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