Suffolk News-Herald
CHUCKATUCK, Va. — Firefighters and other first responders from across the region turned out with family, friends and other community members Monday to say farewell to William G. “Jerry” Saunders.
Saunders, 74, died Thursday in Sentara Norfolk General Hospital. His standing-room-only funeral was held at Oakland Christian Church. After graduating from Chuckatuck High School and serving four years in the Air Force, Saunders become Chuckatuck Volunteer Fire Department’s third fire chief, serving in the role for a total of 17 years amid 60 years of volunteering with the organization.
“That’s unheard of,” said his godson, Chuck Knight, addressing the service. “A lot of departments, you retire after 20.” The department’s current chief, Greg Parsons, said Saunders was “many things to many people,” including husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and mentor.
Full story: Chuckatuck mourns fire chief