WA - Carter Leroy Saunders, lifelong resident of the Puget Sound region, passed away peacefully after a life defined by loyalty, curiosity, and quiet passion.

Born in Bremerton, Carter spent his entire career at Boeing, where his precision, reliability, and deep respect for craftsmanship earned him the admiration of colleagues and friends alike.

Carter's greatest joy outside of work was his love of automobiles. A true car enthusiast, he traveled across the country to attend car shows and could instantly identify any vehicle—make, model, and year—at a glance, along with how long that body style was in production. His encyclopedic knowledge of cars was matched only by his enthusiasm for sharing it with others.

Carter was preceded in death by his parents, Esther Jane Saunders (née Hollenbeck) and Carl Andrew Saunders; and his brother, Marvin Carl Saunders. He is survived by his beloved niece, Nancy Jane Saunders, who carries forward his legacy of curiosity and kindness.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Carter's memory to the American Cancer Society at cancer.org

Carter will be remembered for his warmth, wit, and unwavering dedication to the things—and people—he loved most.