Jerry Williams Saunders, Sr. age 78 of Troutville, passed away Monday, August 9, 2021 at Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital.

Jerry was born March 22, 1943 in Mt. Airy, North Carolina and in the area more than fifty years. He was the son of the late Lloyd Reed and Helen Frances Trail Saunders.

Jerry served with The United States Air Force and The United States Marine Corps and worked for Lee Hartman and Sons as an electronics technician. He enjoyed drag racing with his brother and raced his ’55 Chevy; he worked on cars, was a wood worker, and tinkered with antique radios. He was featured in The Roanoke Times, “Record Player Repairman Keeps Tables Turning” by Ralph Berrier, February 29, 2020.

In addition to his parents, Jerry was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Bonnie Bishop Saunders, July 10, 2021; and his daughter, Cathie Ciavone’. He is survived by sons: Jay (Mary) Saunders, Jr. of Salem, Don (Kitty) Ciavone’ of Michigan; daughters: Denise (Lenny) Poplaskie of Michigan, Tammy (Joe) Iskandar and Brandi (Chris) Walker all of Troutville; grandchildren: Maressa (Kyle) Prah, Haley Saunders, Sarah (Cameron) Allen, Amanda Abraham, Frank Poplaskie, Megan Poplaskie, Steven Poplaskie, Julie Poplaskie, Nathan (Kinzee) Powers, Catie Iskandar, Isis Iskandar; great-grandchildren: Mikey Johns, Delaney Johns, Ethan Saunders-Walker, Tristyn Walker, Zach Combs, Kylie Prah, Evie Eppard, Kendall Prah, LeStat Cullens, Lily Allen, and Jaxon Powers; brothers: James (Carol) Saunders of Moneta, Roby Saunders of North Carolina; sisters: Alice Mathis of North Carolina, and Susie Trejo of Thaxton; many loving nieces and nephews; and he especially loved his Lee Hartman and Sons family.

A celebration of Jerry’s life will be 11:00 am Friday, August 13 at Rader Funeral Home, 630 Roanoke Road Daleville with Reverend Shannon Harris officiating. Burial with military honors will be at Troutville Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the funeral home 6-8pm Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

Jerry’s service will be livestreamed at www.rader-funeralhome.com/tributes/Jerry-Saunders.

Online condolences may be made to Jerry’s family at www.rader-funeralhome/tributes/Jerry-Saunders.