William T. Saunders

William Thomas (Tom) Saunders passed away January 13, 2012 at the age of 85 in the compassionate care of Mesilla Valley Hospice. Tom was born May 14, 1926 in Vernon, Texas to Etta and S.P. Saunders. The family moved by horse and wagon to the family farm in Holdenville, Oklahoma and then to Las Cruces in 1943. Tom served his county in the Army in France and Germany during WWII and again during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1951. Upon discharge, Tom worked at Mesilla Motor Company for 3 years and then moved to Lordsburg where he drove cross country trucks for 11 years. In 1965, Tom purchased an automotive garage, Saunders Garage, in Las Cruces where he worked for 37 years until forced to retire due to health problems. His son and son-in-law took over management of the garage and it remains operational today. Tom was preceded in death by his wife of 61 years, June (Dickerson) Saunders, his son Deland Gary Saunders, his mother and father, his brothers Aeron, Frank, James, and Pat and his sister Martha Ann Watts. He is survived by his daughter Ethel (Saunders) Lynch and her husband Larry, grandchildren Randy Lynch, Nancy Lynch, Brian Saunders, Chris Saunders and 4 great grandchildren, all of Las Cruces. He is also survived by sisters May Etta Grizzzle of Holdenville, Oklahoma; Mittie Lou Wright of Phoenix, Arizona; and Dona May Merkel of Dallas, Texas. Tom was a member of First Baptist Church and was proud to serve as an ordained deacon and a member of the Gideons. He loved and served his Lord Jesus Christ and loved all his brother and sisters in Christ. Visitation is scheduled for 10:00