Billy (Bill) Earl Saunders died Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at his home in Morrison, Oklahoma at the age of 69.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 24, in the Dighton-Marler Funeral Home Chapel in Stillwater. Pastor Albert Quick, Sumner, will officiate. Arrangements are under the direction of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home.

Final resting place will be Morrison Cemetery, Morrison, Oklahoma.

Saunders was born September 3, 1951 in Barnsdall, Oklahoma, the son of Cole Bill and Mildred (Brown) Saunders. He grew up in many places during his lifetime, attending many schools, but graduating from Perry High School. He married Mary Ellen Hartung on June 5, 1970. They established their first home in Perry where they lived for two years before moving to Morrison, Oklahoma. Saunders worked for Bud Warren Horse Ranch of Perry, Swan Rubber in Stillwater, Oklahoma, Zachary Construction Company in Texas, Brown and Root Construction Company of Texas, National Standard of Stillwater for 35 years and Fred Wheatley Company of Morrison.

Survivors include his wife, Mary Ellen Hartung Saunders; three daughters: Ella Saunders, Stillwater, Mrs. Felipe (Tina) Dorame, St. Roberts, Missouri, and Ms. Julie Saunders of Morrison; one son: Billy Earl Saunders II of Morrison; 10 grandchildren; five great grandchildren, and numerous foster children, nieces, nephews and numerous other family and friends. Also, three sisters: Ms. Betty Joyce, Yale, Oklahoma, Ms. Dixie Richardson, Stroud, Oklahoma, and Mrs. Edward (Joyce) Ramage of Yale; and one brother: Tommy Saunders and his wife, Kelli of Stillwater.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Cole Bill and Mildred Saunders; one sister, Margaret Dowell; one brother, Jimmy Saunders; and daughter Becky Ann Waters, and two grandchildren, Scott Saunders and Rosemary Saunders.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in his name to the Sumner Baptist Church of Sumner, Oklahoma in care of Dighton Marler Funeral Home, 5106 N. Washington, Stillwater, OK 74075.