MARYSVILLE – At its 50th reunion last fall, the class of 1966 from Marysville High School decided it wanted a memorial. They raised money and decided to donate a bench to the city to put under the famous Water Tower at Comeford Park since there is no more MHS.

Years ago, some classmates climbed the tower and painted ’66 on it, reunion chairwoman Wanda Wilhonen said Tuesday with a grin.

The class had about 250 graduates, and almost 70 of them came to the reunion. About 20 came to the unveiling of the memorial bench June 13. The class quietly paid tribute to one classmate who wasn’t there.

Ron Hayes was their first classmate to die. He was killed in Vietnam about three months after he graduated.

His mom, Wanda Hayes, who still lives in Marysville, was the first to take the seat of honor on the memorial bench as Ron’s classmates gathered around.

“She’s a special lady to us,” Wilhonen said of Hayes. “He’s with us.”

Wilhonen said Ron was special to the class.

“He was kind and considerate to everybody,” she said, adding that he also was a class officer.

“He couldn’t afford college so he went into the service to get the G.I. Bill,” Wilhonen recalled.

Wilhonen was more into sports, playing basketball and volleyball. Another classmate there Tuesday played football while another performed in plays. Many were on the school’s drill team, called the Tommyettes.

In a short speech, Wilhonen thanked their parents, the city and their educators, while parks director Jim Ballew, in turn, thanked the class for the donation that will keep on giving people rest for years to come.