Wallace Arthur "Budd" Saunders

Wallace Arthur "Budd" Saunders, 83, of Elkins, passed away Saturday, June 15, 2019 in Fayetteville. He was born in Ft. Worth, Texas on December 13, 1935. He was a graduate of the University of Arkansas with BA and MA degrees. Budd was a U.S. Army veteran and served as a paratrooper in the 187th Regiment of the 11th Airborne Division. Budd was a husband, a father and a grandfather. More than that, Budd was a wit, an intellectual, an adventurer. He was a teacher, journalist, writer, beatnik, singer, social worker, political activist, firebrand, detective, soldier, mercenary. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Nancy Miller Saunders and their precious daughter Gwynnlian Victoria Saunders. Their dog Mari is happy and healthy on an Elkins farm in the care of a friend. He is survived by his son Rennie Saunders who lives with his wife Eleanor and their son Leo in San Francisco. The family would like to thank all the caregivers and doctors at the Veterans Administration. He was always voicing his appreciation of the care he received. We also want to give a special thanks to Visiting Angels for the support and kindness shown to our family. We appreciate the loving care that Lewis and Robin gave as they supported Budd in his last months. To all his friends and companions at the American Legion Post 27 - your friendship was everything to him. Watch your six, and carry on! A public memorial and celebration of Budd's life will take place at the Shelton Tucker Craft Post 27 of the American Legion on Saturday June 29, 2019 from 12-2 p.m. Information can be found at www.legionpost27.org. In his own words; "I hope whatever passes for a higher deity in this universe doesn't take too much umbrage with my actions in this life. I'm not proud of a lot of them, but I did what I thought was right in the moment, I took care of my family and friends as best as I could, and well, to hell with it if he can't take a joke." Memorials may be made in his name to any organization that directly supports our servicemen and servicewomen, in uniform and veteran, The G.V.G. "Tori" Saunders Award or The Nancy Miller Saunders Endowed Award in Creative Writing at the University of Arkansas, 300 UNHS, 1 University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark. 72701. Checks should be payable to the University of Arkansas Foundation and the name of the account written in the memo line. God Bless America! Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com.