Edward Stuart Saunders, Jr., 96, of Richmond, passed away February 6, 2018. Born in Roanoke, Va. on January 6, 1922, he was predeceased by his parents, Edward S. Saunders and Beulah Elizabeth Sandidge Saunders. Ed was a member of the 116th Infantry Band, 29th Division in Bedford, Va. While in the Fort Blanding, Florida hospital recovering from an injury, he was assigned to the 30th Division, 119th Infantry HQ Co., and remained with this unit until VE Day. The 30th Division is known as the “Workhorse of the Western Front” (Old Hickory). Ed voluntarily served his country and was proud of his service in the Army. He retired from General Electric and was a Mason for 72 years. He is survived by his devoted wife of 70 years, Martha (Silcox) Saunders; and their four children, Nancy (Jay) Wood, Ed (Maryah) Saunders, Gary (Jean) Saunders, Kathy (Ed) Pusey; and grandchildren, Morgan Balch, David Wood, Rachel Rush, Eddie Saunders, Stuart Saunders; and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, Catherine (Silcox) Folden of Roanoke, Va. The family would like to thank The Crossings at Bon Air for their care and compassion and also the HBPC Staff of the VA (Richard Forth, NP) for their continued care and kindness. Ed will be deeply missed by his family.
Ed Saunders and his wife Martha have long term connections to Nature Camp. Martha served as Nature Camp treasurer from around 1995 until 2005, and in 2005 Ed was inducted into the Nature Camp Roll of Honor.