Dorothy (Sunnylane) E. Hinson Walley

Dorothy (Sunnylane) E. Hinson Walley, 87, died April 14, 2013, at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer of pneumonia.

She was born on Nov. 9, 1926, in Houston, Texas. She attended St. Anthony High School in San Antonio, Texas where she proved that she possessed that rare combination of both beauty and brains. She won four scholarship prizes in English, history, composition and typing.

In 1942 she attended the Army Air Force Preflight School in San Antonio and her ambition at that time was to someday teach aviation cadets to fly. In a few short months she completed 80 hours of ground school by attending classes after her working hours. She would love to be remembered as “Cadet Queen of Class 43-C.” She won the hearts and votes of Preflight School Cadets. In the mid-1940s she was a model in New York City and was know by her professional name of Sunnylane.

She went on to attended Yuba College, Butte College and Chico State University, all in California and she achieved her degree in business.

From 1950-62 she owned Firestone Store, which later changed to Scofields Sporting Goods Store in Gridley, Calif., and 1964-75 she was the co-owner and operator Radio Telephone Public Utility and AM Radio Broadcast Station in Oroville, Calif. She retired in 1976.

Sunnylane participated in the early years of the WASP’s World War II (Women’s Air Force Service Pilots). She was a lifelong member of Beta Sigma Phi, the National Rifle Association, a member of the Gold Star Wives of America, chartered by Congress, an organization for the widows of those men who have died in the service of our country, and friends of pets.

She had a variety of interests, sports of any kind, dancing, animal rescue, cruises and she loved the military way of life.

Surviving are her daughter, Ronilee Lynch and grandson, Matthew M. Lynch of Wasilla; great grandson, James I. Lynch of California; and James L. Lynch of Palmer and Annette Oels of Wasilla, whom she considered and loved like her own children.

She was preceded in death by her grandson, David J. Lynch; mother, Minnie Lee Snyder (Skelton); father, George P. Snyder; husbands, John Wesley Hinson, World War II pilot killed in action in 1943, and James E. Walley.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements are with Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory.