Raymond James Saunders passed away on May 26, 2017 at the age of 67. He is predeceased by parents: Archibald and Maisie Saunders, brother, Wally Saunders. Left to mourn are wife Barbara Ann, daughters: Jaime (Dustin) Rhymes, Leslie Saunders (Chris Beson), step-son Matthew Luff (Alicia Zumbush). Also leaving to mourn sisters; Ruby (Gary) Boone, Betty (Paul) Neil, brothers; Alec (Beryl) Saunders, Cecil Saunders, Nelson (Michele) Saunders and 6 grandchildren; Carter, Noah, Grayson, Emmie, Jack and Lincoln. Also leaving to mourn many other relatives and friends. Ray started a small trucking business in the late 1970's delivering appliances for Sears and department stores in the Central NL area with just one pickup truck. Business increased and within a year additional trucks were added to accommodate deliveries to more communities. A major contract was obtained with Sears Canada to provide delivery of freight to catalog stores throughout the province. Thanks to Ray's foresight and business acumen he acquired additional small trucking companies to compliment this service and as a result within 10 years his company (Roadway Transport) had become the largest locally owned trucking company in the province. This growth necessitated the acquisition of warehouse facilities in major centers across NL. During his career Ray invested in various other businesses such as auto dealership, real estate, stock market trading and junior mining. Ray became a director with Search Minerals Inc. a junior mining enterprise with rare earth discoveries in Labrador. As he approached retirement Ray disposed of many of his business interests to focus his time on the rare earth industry. Rev. Larry Watkins conducted the funeral service at Trinity United Church in Botwood on Tuesday, May 30th, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. Interment followed in the United cemetery, Botwood. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Hoskins Funeral Home, Botwood. Pallbearers were Alec Saunders, Cecil Saunders, Nelson Saunders, Chris Beson, Matthew Luff and Dustin Rhymes. Donations can be made to the Lionel Kelland Hospice or the Botwood Heritage Society. info@lionelkellandhospice.ca.