William Henry Saunders

William Henry Saunders of Portsmouth, VA departed this life on Monday, June 22, 2020. He was born on May 7, 1930 to the late Henry and Arletia Griffin Saunders. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Lillian Smith, Madeline Kornegay, Dorothy Brown, Virginia Riddick, and son, Eric Richardson and daughter Josephine Flood. William (affectionately known as Lil’ Bro) was educated in the Norfolk County public school system. He enlisted in the US Navy at an early age and received an honorable discharge. He later retired from the Norfolk Naval Supply Center after 35 years.

William loved fishing, photography, and perhaps his favorite pastime was his love for working on automobiles. He was a long-standing and active member of the American Legion Post 190. Prior to his illness you would most likely see him in his garage working on someone’s car or keeping his yard in pristine condition.

He leaves to cherish his memory his faithful companion and caretaker of 49 years, Evelyn Briggs; one sister,  Elizabeth Fraser of Suffolk, VA; four sons, Linwood Richardson (Vanessa) of Fredericksburg, VA; Melton Richardson of  Portsmouth, VA; Sylvester Richardson of Portsmouth, VA; Sean Briggs of Minneapolis, MN; four step-children, H. Vincent Briggs of Brockton, MA; Cynthia McCoy (Victor) of Lynchburg, VA; A. Michael Briggs of Portsmouth, VA; and Pamela Briggs of Randolph, MA; sixteen grandchildren, nine great-children, two great-great grandchildren, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.