Opal L. Wilson, 101, died Aug. 27, 2014, at Dillon Living Center, Hutchinson. She was born Jan. 3, 1913, in Pittsburg, Kan., the daughter of John and Iona (Easton) Ross.

She married William C."Bill" Wilson on Feb. 7, 1934, in Neosho, Mo. They relocated to Lyons, where Opal gave birth to two sons: Ron, who was born in 1935 and Ken, who was born in 1939. The family moved to Hutchinson in 1942. Opal worked for Montgomery Ward and later retired from the Hutchinson public school system after 20 years of employment. Bill passed away on Jan. 19, 1985. Opal then became a volunteer at Elmdale until she was 101 years old. During her spare time, she volunteered for the sheriff's patrol for 16 years and at Golden Plains Health Care Center. Opal and her friends organized and played in the "Elmdale Pioneer Kitchen Band", going to various nursing homes and other facilities, entertaining folks with their music. Opal was a member of Women of the Moose Lodge #1371, RSVP, and the New Hope Baptist Church. She was the recipient of numerous awards, culminating with the Kansas Volunteer of the Year Award which recognized her years of volunteer work and was even featured on "Hatteberg's People." Opal was also recognized for her tireless work and as a chairperson of the Reno County United Way.

Survivors include: sons, Ron Wilson and wife Stella of Colorado Springs, Colo., Ken Wilson and wife Carolyn of Montgomery, Texas; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 11 great great-grandchildren; foster daughters, Judy Wiseley of Mounds, Okla., and Linda Parsons of Hutchinson. She was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Ronna Wilson-Lavin and a grandson, Kenneth Wayne Wilson.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014, at Elliott Chapel, Hutchinson, with Ron Wilson presiding. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Elmdale Community Center or Hospice and Homecare of Reno County, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501. Opal said before she moved on to her home in Heaven: "I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done. I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways for happy times and sunny days. I'd like the tears of those who grieve to dry before the sun of happy memories that I leave." Opal will be sorely missed.