William "Bill" Penn Saunders
September 27, 1942 - October 8, 2024
MATTOON — William "Bill" Penn Saunders, age 82, of Mattoon, IL, passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at Odd Fellow Rebekah Harmony Center.
Memorial services honoring his life will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024 at First Presbyterian Church with Pastor Matthew Froeschle officiating. Private burial will take place at Dodge Grove Cemetery at a later date. Schilling Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Bill was born on September 27, 1942 in St. Louis County, MO, the son of Robert Newton Saunders and Virginia Ethel (Kimberlin) Saunders. He married Kathryn Figgins on June 8, 1963.
Survivors include the love of his life of 61 years, Kathryn Saunders; children: David Alan Saunders of Bear Lake, MI and Amanda L. (James) Miller of IN; grandchildren: Austin (Jessica Moss) Saunders of New Baden, IL and David Saunders of OH; great-grandchildren: Weston Saunders and Nora O'Brien; and brother, Robert Newton (Sharon) Saunders Jr. of MI; stepmother, Lucille Saunders. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; several cousins; and best friends since High School, Patrick and Dianne Daugherty.
Bill was the owner/operator of Standard Station. He later worked at the Electrical Supply Warehouse and Distribution Company in Mattoon. Bill was an Eagle Scout. He enjoyed playing golf; he started as a caddy at the St. Louis Country Club and later went on to be a member of the Mattoon High School Golf Team. Bill also enjoyed fishing, coaching summer league softball, and participating in Road Rally's and playing duplicate bridge. Bill was an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and took his family to many games over the years. He was also a fan of cars and glass antiques. Bill volunteered at and served as a Board Member of the Mattoon Food Pantry. He was also a member of the Exchange Club and the First Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and deacon. Bill and Kathy enjoyed taking kids back and forth to Church Camp Carew. He enjoyed visiting Bear Lake, MI, every year with family. One of his favorite past times was walking his dogs around the neighborhood. After retirement, Bill and his wife loved traveling the world; a few of their favorite places were Iceland and Costa Rica. Bill was always eager to help others; after hurricanes Katrina and Ivan, he went to Louisiana to do what he could to help. Bill will be greatly missed by all those who knew and loved him. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Harmony Center staff at the Odd Fellow Rebekah Home.
Memorial donations in his honor may be given to the Coles County Animal Shelter or Alzheimer's Association. Online condolences may be expressed at www.schillingfuneralhome.net or Schilling Funeral Home's Facebook page.
Schilling Funeral Home, 1301 Charleston Ave, Mattoon, IL 61938, 2172350333
