William “Bill” H. Saunders, age 80, of Geneva, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Saturday, August 24, 2019. He was born April 11, 1939, in Geneva, Ohio to Leah (Phillips) and William Saunders. In May of 1957, Bill married the love of his life, Norma (Rucks). Together, they shared more than 65 years of love and happiness and were always very proud of their growing family.

Bill always took pride in being a provider for his family and worked several different jobs before retiring in 2007. Bill’s first job was at his family’s fruit farm in Geneva (Phillips’ Fruit Farm) and Holmes’ Service Station before enlisting in the US Navy Reserves while he was still a student at Geneva High School. After graduating from Geneva, Bill moved up to Active Service with the US Navy and was stationed out of New London, Connecticut and the Norfolk, Virginia Naval Yards. After his tour of service had ended, Bill moved back home to Geneva to help on the farm and began working at Marcy’s Chevrolet as a Mechanic. Bill began working for The City of Geneva and was appointed Superintendent of City Streets in 1965. After that, he worked for Drainer Excavating, Bentley Excavating, Phillips Day & Maddock and then retired from Hertz Equipment Rental in Cleveland.

Bill was an avid racing enthusiast of anything that he could drive fast. He won several championships with his Honda Odyssey in the 1980’s before retiring so other people could have a chance at winning. Bill enjoyed working on cars and trucks so much that he designed and built his own custom gas to diesel conversion 1976 Chevy Silverado. He was famous for scaring anyone within several hundred feet with the “Air Start” feature and the set of locomotive horns that were hidden under the truck. Bill and Norma travelled all over the country and parts of Canada with the Diesel Confab North and met some of their best friends who would later turn in to family there. Aside from his “Gold Truck”, Bill was probably best known for his signature beard that he had lovingly grown in honor of his favorite band, ZZ Top.
Bill was always very proud of his children, grandchildren, and several greatgrandchildren. Bill devoted his entire life to making sure that his family knew how much he loved them and did everything he could to help them be successful. Even in his “strong, silent type” way, we always knew how much he cared. Bill spent countless hours in the garage, sharing his wealth of knowledge with his children and the large herd of grand/greatgrandchildren that he always said he was so lucky to have.

Bill always loved having his 4-legged companions (AKA couch potatoes) around him, often watching sports and eating sherbet together. He had several dogs over the years, and also enjoyed his visits with his grand-dogs when they would come to score some snacks and sit with him by the porch swing.

Bill is survived by his wife, Norma of Geneva, daughter Julie (Dean) of Geneva, son Will (Fran) of Geneva, granddaughters Jamie (Matt) of Geneva, Nichole (Mike) of Madison, Bekka, Sarah and Leah of Madison. Great-grandchildren Gavin, Jason, Nakoa, Kaleb, Adria, Emily Rose, Mariah, Alexia, Hailey, Johnny, Frankie, Danny, Jack, Liam, Mikey, and Emily. Niece Sheryl (Fortunato), nephews Tony (Mauri), Rick and Steve. Great-nieces Emma and Laura, great-nephews Anthony, Cody (Gabrielle), Logan, Cooper and Daniel.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son, Frankie; sister, Judy; granddaughter, Betheny; and his favorite Bulldogge, Jackson.

Friends will be received from 4-7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28, 2019 at the Behm Family Funeral Home, 175 S. Broadway, Geneva Ohio. Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 29, 2019 at the funeral home with Pastor Mark Shearer of Here’s Hope Church in Madison officiating. Burial will follow at Alexander Harper Cemetery in Unionville.

Contributions may be made in Bill’s memory to Hospice of the Western Reserve, Hospice of the Western Reserve, PO Box 72101 Cleveland, Ohio 44192.

Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com