Bishop Willard Eddie Saunders, Sr Pentecostal Assemblies of the World  1925 ~ 1994  Bishop Willard Eddie Saunders, Sr., devoted Husband, Father, Bishop, Diocesan, Pastor, Mentor, Friend and Master Builder was born May 22, 1925, in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He was the fifth of nine children born to the union of George and bettie Lee Saunders. Willard attended Pounds School in Sutherlin, Virginia and completed his education in Dunbar Evening School. He later attended Morgan State College (Now University), Maryland, baptist Training Bible Center and held an honorary doctorate from Indiana University and Aenon Bible College. At the age of nine, he was baptized in Jesus' Name and filled with the Holy Ghost, under the pastorate of the late Elder J. nathaniel Walters. Heeding the voice  of God to preach in His vineyard, he was licensed as a minister of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. In October 1945, Brother Saunders left Danville, Virginia and moved to Baltimore, Maryland. Here he affiliated himself with the First Apostolic Faith Church, under the leadership of the late Bishop Winfield A. Showell. Brother Saunders' first meal was at the table with the "Showells." This was the beginning of a lasting relationship. Bishop Showell became his spiritual father and mentor. On September 1, 1947 Willard was united in Holy Matrimony to Mary Martha Jones. To this union were born two children. In June of 1954, Elder Saunders was installed as Pastor of Christ Temple Apostolic Church. In 1965, he became District Elder. He was elevated to Bishop in August, 1981. He was the Diocesan of the Seventh Episcopal District of Minnesota, Wisconsin, North and South Dakota. Bishop Willard Saundars Sr., departed this life quietly on Wednesday, August 10, 1994, and is now asleep and resting in the paradise of glory, awaiting the trump of God. He left many to cherish his memory and anticipate a glorious reunion.   Audio Recordings of Bishop Willard Saunders are available in our audio library.