Carrsville – Leonidas William "Billy" Saunders, Jr., 75, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather passed away February 1, 2012. Billy was born in Franklin, VA September 12, 1936 to L. W. "Simon" Saunders, Sr. and Donna Fostina "Tina" Keen Saunders. He graduated from Holland High School in 1955 and as a young man joined the Virginia National Guard, Franklin Battery and served from 1954 to 1963. He was a former employee of Ivor Oil Company and part time truck driver for Lawrence Bailey Carr, Zuni. On October 1, 1976 Billy started L. W. Saunders Trucking Company, Carrsville, VA, leasing his only truck to Old Dominion Freight Lines, Norfolk, VA. His son Johnny also works with him in the business which is now a company of eleven trucks. Billy was a member of Beaver Dam Baptist Church.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ruth Powell Saunders; son, John William Saunders of Carrsville, VA, and friend Lori Burgess and her children, Tyler and Madeline Burgess all of Franklin, sister, Sara Alice Griffin of Suffolk, VA granddaughter, Ashley Pearce and husband, Allen of Franklin, VA grandson, Matthew Saunders of Smithfield, VA and a great-granddaughter, Brynden Pearce of Franklin, a special cousin, Johnny Lankford and wife, Jerline of Franklin, and a host of other relatives and many friends in the trucking business.
A celebration of life service will be held Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 11:00 am at Wright Funeral Home, 206 West Fourth Ave. Franklin, VA with Rev. Walter Johnston and Ronald Workman officiating. Burial will follow in Beaver Dam Baptist Church Cemetery.
Billy was a charter member of Carrsville Fire Department, In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Carrsville Volunteer Fire Department, P.O. Box 27, Carrsville, VA 23315. A visitation will be held at the Carrsville Community House following the service. www.wrightfuneralhome.org.