Opal Wilma Cameron, 88, went to her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Sunday, March 18, 2007, with family at her side.
She was born Feb. 24, 1919, in Filer, Idaho, the fifth of nine children to William Jasper and Indiana Armaina (Mamie) Bean. Opal attended school at the Maroa School near Filer and then the family moved to West Point, where she completed the eighth grade. She graduated Salutatorian of her class at the Wendell High School and then attended Link's Business College.
On Dec. 20, 1940, Opal married Orville Cameron. They first lived in Wendell and in 1941 they moved to Omaha, Neb., to try the "big city," which neither cared for. They moved back to Wendell and their first son, George "Ed" Edward, was born in 1943. In 1945, they moved to Bellevue, where they would make their life-long family home. Their second son, Leslie "Les" Howard, was born in 1947.
Together with Otis Sr. and Martha Disbennett, they established Wood River Welding and Blacksmithing in August 1945. Opal was able to use her business skills and was their bookkeeper for more than 40 years. But the light of her life was being a wife, mother, homemaker and neighbor. She enjoyed day trips, picnics and fishing trips but not camping.
Opal loved to cook and have holiday meals for her family and friends. She had a talent for trying new recipes, usually altering them to suit her taste, and they were always to the delight of family and friends. Opal was an avid reader and as a child would get in trouble being distracted from housework because of it. After becoming a Christian, she read her Bible daily and became very knowledgeable of the Word. Opal enjoyed serving as a Deaconess at the Bellevue Community Church and later at the Calvary Bible Church, where she was a founding member.
Following her mother's example, her kids were always her kids and she was always concerned for their welfare. Opal was always outspoken and honest; you knew where you stood with her. Her stubbornness, whit, smile, insight and wisdom will be missed, but her influence and example will live on.
Survivors include her sons Ed (Marge) Cameron and Les (Thelma) Cameron; her grandchildren JoEd (Randy) of Sun Valley, Dan (Antonia) of Boston, Mass., Sam (Jedi) of Hill City, Angela of Twin Falls, James (Joscelyne) of Bellevue, Thomas of Bellevue and Elizabeth of Bellevue; her great-grandson Elloit; her sisters Grace Madalena of Buhl and Donna Fuqua of Gooding; many nieces, nephews and good friends. Those preceding her in death were her parents, her husband Orville, her brothers Herman, Bill, Olin, Homer, Howard and her sister Ruth.
Memorial services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 24, at the Calvary Bible Church in Hailey with Rev. Ron Brown officiating. Interment will follow in the Bellevue Cemetery.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Gideons International, PO Box 155, Jerome, ID 83338; Calvary Bible Church Building Fund, PO Box 1676, Hailey, ID 83333, or the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are under the care of Wood River Chapel of Hailey.
