SAUNDERS, William Savacool "Bill" 72, of Auburndale in Newton, died September 12 from a fall in his home. He was the loving husband of Candace Saunders. Father of Lauren Saunders and Teddy Saunders. Father-in-law of Christopher Smith. Grandfather of Everett Smith. Brother of Jane Saunders Macnaghten of England, and half brother John Saunders of Nevada. Bill retired after 30 years at Harvard Graduate School of Design where he was the founding editor of The Harvard Design Magazine. He edited books on urban and landscape architecture. He spoke widely about these subjects at professional events and in the living rooms of friends and colleagues, who valued his world views. He was president of The Auburndale Community Association and a member of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Newton. He was a scholar and writer on contemporary American poetry; devotee of jazz, classical, gospel, and soul music; enthusiastic rock and jazz drummer; and a vocalist in doo-wop groups wherever he could create them. He was a fierce activist and Obama supporter. Bill was a playful soul and organizer of gatherings of dancing and music. He was born in Mamaroneck, NY and graduated from Northfield Mount Hermon School and Denison University. He received his PhD from The University of Iowa in Literary Criticism and Contemporary British Poetry. Bill will be remembered as a brilliant thinker, reader, writer, and conversationalist, and as a husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and colleague whose creative mind was an endless, unique source of knowledge and joy. All who knew him in health and illness mourn his loss. Visiting hours will be Friday, September 21st, from 4-8 p.m at the Burke and Blackington Funeral Home at 1479 Washington Street, WEST NEWTON, MA 02465. His public memorial service will be Saturday, September 22nd at 2:00 p.m. at the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Newton at 1326 Washington St., Newton, MA 02465. Donations in Bill's memory can be made to the Communities United Creative Start Program in Waltham, where he volunteered in his retirement:
www.communitiesunitedinc.org/donate Burke & Blackington Funeral Home
BurkeFamilyFuneralHomes.com
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Published in The Boston Globe on Sept. 16, 2018
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