Wilma Meredith Walden, 93, entered into the Lord’s Presence on Monday, Jan. 3, 2011, at her Oak Harbor home, surrounded by her loving family.

Mrs. Walden was born in Mt. Vernon, Ill., on Dec. 14, 1917, to Harry and Grace (Phillips) Piercy. She was raised in Bloomington, Ill., and graduated from high school there. Wilma met Max Walden and they were married on March 4, 1940. The couple lived in Central Illinois for many years, farming and raising a family. Max and Wilma moved to Oak Harbor in 1991. Max preceded Wilma in death in 1995.

Wilma was a lifelong member of the Church of the Nazarene and was active in both the Clinton (Ill.) and Oak Harbor church. She enjoyed sewing and embroidery, and especially the presence of family.

Wilma is survived by her three children, Stephen Walden (Chelsee) and Connie Ammann (Larry) all of Oak Harbor, and Gwen Murphy of Mechanicsville, Va.; seven grandchildren, Stephanie Rech (Dave) of Snohomish, Christy Liljegren (Jon) of Nampa, Idaho, Debbie Groenig (Matt) of McCall, Idaho, Stacey Swanson-Ammann of Nampa, Stephen Ammann (Michele) of Mineral, Va., and Brandi and Kacey Murphy, both of Mechanicsville; 13 great-grandchildren, Adam, Chelsee, Kristina and Nathan Rech, Jessica Downs (Dustin), Jordan and Chase Liljegren, Lauren, Ethan and Emma Groenig, Owen and Quinton Swanson, and Colton Ammann. Also, numerous nieces, nephews and other relatives. In addition to her husband Max, Wilma was preceded in death by a son-in-law Lloyd Murphy in 2007 and by two brothers, Olin and Wayne Piercy.

A Graveside Service will be at Maple Leaf Cemetery on Saturday, Jan. 8, at 3 p.m., Pastor Benjamin Norris officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Lloyd E. Murphy Leadership Scholarship Fund, c/o the New Hanover Christian School, 10058 Chamberlayne Ave., Mechanicsville, VA 23116. The fund was established in memory of Wilma’s son-in-law who passed away in 2007 and promotes the development of future Christian leaders. Family and friends may sign the guest register at www.whidbeymemorial.com.