Bernard Ray Saunders

Funeral Service for Bernard R. Saunders will be 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, June 9, 2015 at Family Life Church with Pastor Marty Crump officiating. Visitation will be 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday June 8, 2015 at Walker Funeral Home. Bernard Ray Saunders was born August 12, 1930 at Haxtun, Colorado to parents Henry Fay and Minnie Belle (Flint) Saunders of the Savageton Community. Railroad travel was common in those days and Bernard's mother traveled to Haxtun for Bernard's birth. He was often teased and called a Colorado Greeny as a result of his birth place. Until Bernard was 9 years old, he grew up in the Savageton area surrounded by 6 siblings and many extended family members that had come to Wyoming to take up homestead along the Pumpkin Creek and nearby areas. Bernard was doing a man's worth of work at 10 years old by managing a team of horses, running farm equipment and learning a strong work ethic that would carry through the rest of his life.In February of 1950, Bernard met Arlene Tyree at a Camel basketball game and this led to their marriage on November 1, 1952. Their lives were extremely busy with their 4 children and jobs with demanding hours. Bernard worked at the Farmers Co-op and the Campbell County Cemetery. He was approached by Harris (Heck) Swartz in the late 60's to become Campbell County Fire Warden, which resulted in a career he loved and would do for the rest of his working career. With the tremendous energy boom occurring, Campbell County and town areas desperately needed fire service protection. He worked with an excellent fire board, cooperative county commissions and city council to expand and improve the fire department into the new building on Rohan Avenue, including starting a full time fire service operation and several career firefighting positions. During this time, he also aided in setting up rural and wild land firefighters, involving BLM, Wyoming State Forestry. Burlington Northern, surrounding counties and the state of Montana. Many of his lifelong friendships were formed from these areas and with other fire wardens across the state. His mutual aide agreement in North East Wyoming was eventually implemented into all of Wyoming and bordering states. He was a well-respected man of his word. Bernard retired from the Campbell County Fire Department in July of 1996. In retirement years, he worked many summers for K.G. Construction, where his knowledge of farming helped in reclamation and reseeding, especially in the Big Powder River areas of oil exploration. He enjoyed this work immensely. Bernard and Arlene raised 4 children and loved watching them grow into adults and have families, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Bernard loved to square dance, any activity outdoors, including hunting and fishing, silver smithing, lapidary work, RV-ing in Arizona for 10years, wood working and always a good game of cards. His amazing life provided many wonderful and endearing stories enjoyed by his family. Bernard is survived by his wife Arlene, their 4 children; Cathy (Dave) Haddock, Donna (Jack) Morfeld, Ernie (Marcia) Saunders, and Frances (Larry) Nichols, 11 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, all his siblings, several friends and work associated. The family requests in lieu of flowers memorials be made in Bernard's name to; Close to Home Hospice, Campbell County Fire Department Volunteers "CCFD Volunteer" for the Engine 26 project, or to Boy's and Girl's Club. Memorials and condolences may also be sent in Bernard's name in care of Walker Funeral Home 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716 or via website: www.walkerfuneralgillette.comFuneral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716