Born in Nebraska and a long-term resident of Alabama, Saunders was chairman of the board of Saunders Leasing System, one of the major national companies specializing in full service leasing of trucks, truck-tractors, and trailers.
He was director and past national president of CATRALA and the last survivor of the original father and four sons team that gave birth to the Saunders System and automotive rental industry in 1916.
He wrote a book called Top Up or Down? that featured illustrations of trucks, cars, rental stations, industry pioneers and leaders, as well as inside stories.