Billy Ray Saunders, 89, passed away on Thursday, October 9, 2025. He was born February 15, 1936 in Haywood County and was a son to the late, James Haywood and Julia Troutman Saunders. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Jimmy Saunders.

Billy had a love for old cars and enjoyed restoring cars, especially his 1949 Studebaker. He was formerly employed and retired from Hazen Paper Co. in Holyoke, Mass. After moving to NC he worked and retired from Drexel Furniture Company.

Billy is survived by his wife, Rose Marie Smith Saunders; children, Wayne Saunders, Billy Saunders (Susan), Phyllis Rogers (Gerald), and Pamela Burrell (Steve); grandchildren, Krystal Jillson, Becky Kinney (Mark), Mark Rogers (Camie), James Buckner, Nathan Rogers (Kendall), and Aaron Saunders; great grandsons, Jakob Levalley, Izak Kinney, and Abraham Kinney; special son, Clifford Buckner (Deana); brother Charles "Gene" Saunders; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, October 25, 2025 in Ivy Creek Baptist Church. Reverends Larry Rogers and Preston Church will officiate.

Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blueridgefuneralservice.org.