Bella L. Saunders

Bella (Billie) Lois Saunders 11/19/1929-11/29/2021 Bella was born on November 19, 1929 to parents Olive Mae Patterson (Hilton) and Norval William Hilton in Lincoln Park, Michigan. She was the middle child of three, with older brother Norval and younger sister Elizabeth (Susie) Taube. She married Lloyd Saunders on April 2, 1949. She often spoke of her wedding as the “day her life truly began.” They resided in Westland for many years, busy raising their two children Janet and David. She volunteered as room mother and always made the best cookies for elementary school parties. She attended many a sporting event to cheer on her son and even let the Spanish Club build a homecoming float in her garage. Bella and Lloyd retired to St. Helen in 1978 and lived there until moving to Midland in the mid-1990s. They did quite a bit of traveling around the United States pulling their trailer behind them. In 1999, Bella and Lloyd were able to celebrate their 50th Wedding Anniversary at a party in their honor at Frankenmuth. Bella enjoyed family camping vacations, crafting including needlework, quilting and ceramics. She made the most excellent Halloween costumes for her children and grandchildren. She liked playing cards and was a member of a card club for many years. She was always an avid reader. Her daughter-in-law, Sandy, kept her supplied with books for many years. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially her granddaughters Natalie, Lindsay and Erica (Kris) and great grandchildren Olivia and Lewis. She was very proud of her granddaughters and loved them dearly. She had many wonderful nieces and nephews who were special to her as well, including: Marlene (Gordy), Diane, Nancy (Ken), Lynda (Mack), Barb (Pat), Sandy, Brian (Donna), Tom, Kelly (Julie), June (Joe), JoAnn and great nieces and nephews Tracy, Tiffany, Bobby, Mike, Tim, Aaron, Mark, Paul, Todd, Frank and Alison. She was also a surrogate Grandma to Lee and Beth. Bella was always fun to be around and loved the time spent with her friends in Sanford and Midland. She was a Red Hat Lady for many years and a member of TOPS. She was an active member of the Sanford United Methodist Church. Her family will forever miss her unwaivering love and support, her generosity and her thoughtfulness. Bella was predeceased by her husband Lloyd Saunders; her parents William and Olive Hilton; her brother Norval Hilton (Shirley). She is survived by her daughter: Janet Flessland (Dennis); by her son: David Saunders (Sandy); by granddaughters: Natalie Vaal (Andrew); Lindsay LaFave (Nate); Erica Saunders (Chris); by great grandchildren: Olivia and Lewis Vaal; by her sister: Elizabeth Taube; and the tribe of nieces and nephews mentioned above. Memorials can be made in her name to the Sanford United Methodist Church, 2560 N. West River Rd., Sanford, Michigan 48657. A visitation will be held at the R.G. & G.R. Harris Funeral Home, 15451 Farmington Rd, Livonia on Sunday, December 5,2021 from 1:00 PM until 4:30PM. Please share a memory of Bella.