Obituary: Saunders, Wilson Rousseau
Age 98
He was the third child of ten children, and because his father was an itinerant evangelist the family moved throughout the South.
He recalled they were dirt poor but there was much love, laughter and tears: “Just a typical American family.”
In 1938 he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked in the Bitterroot Mountains in central Idaho.
He joined the Army in 1941 and was a member of the 802 Aviation Engineers.
He spent two years in the Aleutian Islands before being shipped to Okinawa where the invasion was in full swing.
When the war ended in 1945 he married Lucile Unbewust and settled in Spokane, WA.
He was employed as a mail carrier for twenty-six years.
He and Lucile enjoyed fishing, camping, stargazing (he built his own 10” reflector telescope), rock hounding, traveling and raising their children.
Wilson was preceded in death by his wife Lucile and sons Brian and Byron.
He is survived by daughters Barbara (Larry) Volland and Nancy (Greg) Wallenstein; grandsons Stephen Volland and Marc (Samantha) Volland; great-grandchildren Elijah and Lexi Volland.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Peyton, John, and Andy; his sisters Jessie, and Oleta.
He is survived by his sisters Billie Doris, Ruby Nell (WO), Ollie Vee, and LaVonne , and several nieces and nephews.
After Wilson was widowed in 1987 he remarried in 1989 to Alyce Tchetters with whom he enjoyed traveling, especially cruises.
He was also preceded in death by his second wife, Alyce; stepson, David (Marilyn) Tchetters.
He is survived by stepdaughter Roberta (Larry) Sundberg; and several step-grand and great-grandchildren, step-nieces and step-nephews.
The family wishes to thank the staff at the Riverview Terrace Lutheran Home, Hospice House and Hearts and Hands for the extraordinary love and care given to our father.
A Graveside Service will be held on Friday, October 10, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Fairmount Memorial Park, 5200 W. Wellesley, Spokane, WA.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Hospice House of Spokane, PO Box 2215 Spokane, WA 99210 or at www.hospiceofspokane.org.
RIPLINGER FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORY, SPOKANE, WA in care of arrangements.
www.riplingerfuneralhome.com