Wilfred Thomas Saunders

“Words are few, Thoughts are deep, Memories of you we will always keep”

Wilf sadly passed away suddenly on 8th April 2021 at Leighton Hospital aged 8o years.

The beloved husband of Judith. Cherished Dad of Mark & Paul.  Loving Grandad to Carley & Leigh & Great Grandad to Bridie,  Savanah & Charlie.

He will be remembered by many for his service to Cheshire Lads & Dads that became the South Cheshire Youth Football League.

His funeral took place on Friday 23rd April at St Michael & All Angels Church, Crewe Green followed by Interment in the churchyard.

For more information please contact our funeral home on 01270 584447.

*********************************************************************************
On leaving school at 14 Wilfred began work as an HGV driver – he drove for Co-op
bread, the caning factory in Holmes Chapel and Rolls Royce – all at driving jobs. Wilfred
then joined Provident, a loans company, and worked his way up to Area Manager.
After Wilfred left Provident, he decided to start up his own business called A1
Investigations, originally it was a debt recovery company which he developed and grew,
finally with a big office in Crewe and significant local employer, this became the Mill
House Group. Wilfred eventually retired, in 2016.
Wilfred and Judith were married for 60 years in March. They first met at friend’s house,
in Westminster street, Crewe, and married 2 years later. Wilfred was a very good
hearted man and looked after Judith beautifully. He’d always help anyone in need.
We remembered that Dad used to call mum, “Hyacinth Bucket” for keeping up
appearances! He’d always help anyone in need.
A big passion of Wilfred’s was his football. He was a big supporter of his home town
Crewe Alexander and Liverpool FC. Wilfred was asked to manage Ruskin Rovers,
which he did, and this lead him to start Cheshire Lads and Dads, in 1976, aiming to give
children, from the age of 9 to 16, the chance to play football. And this is still going strong
today, although it is now called the South Cheshire Youth League. Wilfred remained as
it’s Chairman until his death. He was also a referee and his class 2 license.
Wilfred was a very active and involved person, for all of this we are so proud, thinking of
the things he achieved in his life.
Wilfred bought at a static caravan one day for Judith, originally it was in Calagran, in
Fleetwood and then he bought another one in Ribby Hall, near Blackpool. We all used
to spend weekends and holidays there, they were great times, all of us being together,
very special times, we were very lucky. Judith would always call these caravans, her
holiday home!
He loved to travel and had many enjoyable times abroad on holiday; with Judith he
holidayed in Canada, America, Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Spain. With the lads and dads,
he organized a lot of tournaments abroad, for example, Holland, America, Scotland. He
could easily make friends.
Wilfred will be sadly missed, by so many people. We’ll never forget what he has done
for us as a family and we will always love him dearly. Dad, we thank you for all the
happy memories and all you’ve done for us as a family.