Shirley D. Wilson of Wichita, KS, passed away in her sleep on December 31, 2025. She was 97 years old.

Born in 1928 into a Simpson, KS, farmhouse with no electricity and no bathroom, Shirley was the first of Wilbur R. Sams and Hattie V. (McGaughey) Sams's four children. Shirley graduated from Simpson High School in 1946, after which she attended summer school at Fort Hays State College and taught all eight grades at a country school south of Simpson. She came to Wichita in 1948 to work as a shop clerk for the Boeing Company, where she spotted new employee Ted R. Wilson and engineered his invitation to the company Halloween dance. They married in 1949 and had their first child, Kent, in 1951. A second son, Jack, followed in 1953 and a daughter, Cindy, in 1956.

After briefly living in Kenmore, NY, and Seattle, WA, Shirley and her family returned to Wichita, where she lived for the next 66 years. In 1987 Shirley was working as a bookkeeper for the Wichita USD 259 School of Continuing Education when Ted, who had retired from Boeing a few years earlier, suggested to her that if she would also retire, she could drive their motor home and they could travel the country. She gave her notice the next day.

Shirley and Ted traveled widely, visiting 47 of the 50 states, as well as Canada and Mexico, but their home away from home was Harlingen, TX, where they were longtime winter residents of the Fun-N-Sun RV park. Shirley was an enthusiastic (and entrepreneurial) crafter, a talented painter, a home gardener, an occasional golfer, a loyal Chiefs fan, and an avid card player.

God and family were the most important parts of Shirley's life. She and Ted were active members of Christ Community Church (formerly Seltzer Springs Methodist Church), where Shirley served as Treasurer for several years. Shirley gave the best of herself to her family, opening her home to multiple adult children and grandchildren when they needed it. She was not shy about sharing her opinions, but she never let a difference of opinion change how she treated someone. Her kitchen, dining room, and card table were the center of family celebrations for more than 40 years.

Shirley was predeceased by her siblings and her husband Ted. She is survived by her three children (Kent Wilson of Maize, KS; Jack Wilson and his wife Rhonda of Wichita, KS; and Cindy Reeves of San Antonio, TX), seven grandchildren (Stacy Mendez, Kevin Reeves, Sam Wilson, Shelby Reeves, Jordan Wilson, Tara Wilson, and Sara Escobedo), eight great grandchildren (Keylie, Noah, Isaac, Grace, Abrum, Ava, Deirdre, and Henry), and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A funeral will be held on Thursday, January 8 at 1:00 pm at Old Mission Mortuary, 3424 East 21st Street, followed by a graveside service at Old Mission Cemetery at 2:00 pm.

Instead of flowers, please consider a gift in support of Shirley's son Jack, who is living with ALS, to help with his ongoing care. Checks payable to Jack Wilson can be mailed care of his daughter Tara Wilson to 910 West Murdock Street, Wichita, KS 67203.