Joe M. Saunders Jr.

CW4 Joe M. Saunders, Jr., after waging a strong and courageous battle with leukemia, made his last flight on December 8, 2008 to be with his Lord. He was born in Austin, Texas on July 12, 1929 to the late Ollie Lee (Smith) and Joe M. Saunders, Sr. He graduated from Austin High School in 1948. Before moving from Austin, he was employed as a steam pipe fitter and was a 50-year life member of the Local Union #286. He was a veteran with service in Korea and was a lifetime member of the American Legion Post 75. He moved to Mineral Wells, Texas in 1964 to work as an instructor pilot for the U.S. Army Primary Helicopter School at Fort Wolters. After Fort Wolters closed in 1973, he worked for Petroleum Helicopters, Inc. for two years before taking a position with the Texas National Guard as a full time Helicopter Technician/Test Pilot. He retired from the Guard in 1991 and was living in Weatherford, Texas at the time of his death. He enjoyed traveling, whether it was in his RV, staying at his timeshare or cruising. His favorite destinations were the Bahamas, Branson and his greatest adventure, Alaska.

Survivors include his beloved wife and companion of ten years, Linda; his two daughters who adored him and will miss him until they see him again, Suzie Saunders Taylor of Hideaway, Texas and Shauna Saunders of Mineral Wells, Texas; Suzie’s husband, Ron Taylor; two granddaughters, Ashley “Jo” Nichols of Hideaway, Texas, and Candee Evans of Mineral Wells, Texas; a step-daughter, Leslie Phillips, of Fort Worth, Texas, and Peggy Saunders of Mineral Wells, former wife and mother of his children. He was preceded in death by an infant sister, Bertie Lee Saunders, and his second wife, Faye T. Saunders.

Interment with full military honors will be in the Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Grand Prairie, Texas, on Friday, December 12, 2008, at 10:30AM. A memorial service will be held at Galbreaith-Pickard Funeral Chapel in Weatherford, Texas, on Saturday, December 13, 2008, at 2PM. Visitation will be at Galbreaith-Pickard on Thursday, December 11, 2008, from 6PM to 8PM.


In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, c/o 8111 Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway, Suite 425, Dallas, Texas, 75251-9918.