Dr. Wilbert Benjamin "Bill" Saunders

Dr. Wilbert "Bill" Benjamin SAUNDERS "Blessed is the man who dies in the Lord" Dr. Wilbert "Bill" Saunders, 98, went to meet his Savior, Saturday, March 18, 2006 at Aberdeen, Washington. Bill was born December 14, 1907, the youngest of seven children, to Margaret and William Thomas Saunders in Inkster, North Dakota. Bill spent his childhood in Laurel, Montana before moving to Kelso, Washington, where he met his future wife, Edna Rogers. As a young child Bill decided to serve the Lord and to become a doctor. Bill and Edna were married May 11, 1930, making their home in Seattle. In 1937 Bill graduated from the U of W School of Pharmacy and in 1948 from the Los Angeles College of Osteopathic Medicine and Surgery. He interned and practiced medicine in the Seattle University District before retiring in 1986. He researched and was successful in treating multiple sclerosis patients. Bill was a 60-year member and elder of Central Presbyterian Church, active in King's Garden School and ministry programs, Kiwanis, Boy Scouts, Boy's Village, Mountlake Christian School, Riding Club, and medical and osteopathic professional groups. He was a dedicated Christian, committed to missions, especially to Africa, co-founding Medicine for Missions at Kings Garden which grew into World Concern. In 1992 he traveled with World Concern missionaries to Africa. Bill was involved in many activities including hunting, back-packing, horses, cars, gardening, dancing and spending time with his family. He was an accomplished poet. Bill is survived by his three children, Margaret (Rudy) Riener of Ferdinand, Idaho; Stephen (Janice) of Anchorage, Alaska; and Nenna (Antoine) Skarbeck of Bend, Oregon; twelve grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. He lived with his granddaughter, Rachel (Randy) Johnson and their children for the past three years in Cosmopolis, Washington. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, four sisters, and in 1991 by his beloved wife, Edna. A Funeral Service will be at World Concern, 19397 Kings Garden Drive, Shoreline at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 25; Burial at Edmonds Memorial Cemetery in Edmonds. Arrangements by Beck's Funeral Home, Edmonds, (425) 771-1234.