William Ralph Saunders

08/21/2003

William Ralph Saunders, 73, of Greenwood Circle died Thursday at Berkshire Medical Center. Born on April 6, 1930, in Lawrence, N.Y., son of Mitchell and Dorothy Munzer Saunders, he attended schools in New York and graduated from Richmond Hill High School in Queens, N.Y. After graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and fought in the Korean War. He was wounded and received a Purple Heart in 1951. After coming home, he returned to school and graduated from Lester Junior College in Massachusetts. He worked as an advertising director and an assistant publisher for Spectrum magazine, I.E.E.E., in New York City for 32 years, retiring in April 2000. He and his family first became part-time residents in the Berkshires in 1975 and later moved here permanently. He was a member of Wyantenuck Country Club. He played many golf courses throughout the world. He also enjoyed drawing, painting and photography, and studied military history and aircraft. He leaves his wife, the former Marie Nellis, whom he married on July 16, 1977, at the Mill River Country Club in Oyster Bay, N.Y.; three sons, Stephen S. Saunders of Clearwater, Fla., Scott S. Saunders of Stuart, Fla., and Robert M. Saunders of Palm Beach, Fla.; a sister, Jeanne Hipp of Punta Gorda, Fla., and four granddaughters. FUNERAL NOTICE -- A Liturgy of Christian Burial for William Ralph Saunders will be held on Saturday, Aug. 23, 2003, at 11 at St. Peterâ€™s Church in Great Barrington. The family will receive friends on Friday from 4 to 7 at FINNERTY & STEVENS FUNERAL HOME in Great Barrington. Mr. Saunders was especially proud of his three sons, Stephen, Scott and Robert, for having served in the armed forces. Survivors include his four granddaughters, Jessie, Kelley, Shelby and Sandy. Memorial contributions may be made to the Tiger Woods Foundation through the funeral home, 426 Main St., Great Barrington, MA 01230.

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