I was married to Carl's son Joe (also known as Carl but not a junior) for 31 years.  Sadly Joe passed in August 2017.  I know that Jesus has reunited Carl and son Joe in heaven.  Joe is helping Carl ride a horse while Carl is setting up an airplane ride.  
Joe cherished his dad.  There are not enough words to describe their relationship.  Joe did not go into the military, however he became an airplane mechanic.  He worked with Carl at Phoenix International Airport at the  Executive Unit.
Joe became Carl's guardian and accompanied him to Washington DC for an Honor Flight, a 3 day event.  This event was designed especially for WWII pilots to commemorate their service for our country.  
We also provided "Papa" a special flight in a B-24 war ship  (Carl flew these buckets as he called them in WWII).  I can't describe how happy Joe and Carl were after that flight.
For me, Adena Papa loved life, cherished his family and God.  He always wanted to feed you good German food.  As I said earlier, 37 years with this family, there are so many words to describe this man, I will love him for the rest of my life and it brings me comfort to know that Carl and his son are reunited up in Heaven and I know they are my guardian angels . 
With all my love, Adena Opitz

To me, Carl William Opitz was just “Papa.” The man who picked me up from kindergarten and raced me to the car (take a minute to picture a 5 yr old racing a 72 yr old). The man who went out to buy milk when we wanted cereal at 10pm. Who ate the skin off of my grilled chicken and who gave us a 2x4 piece of wood, a hammer, and some nails to play with and “use our imaginations.” I loved running errands with him as a kid - first we’d stop by his church to say hi to everyone in the office (and get me some candy), then we’d visit Bob at his auto shop and they’d talk cars and I’d get another piece of candy, then we’d hit up Costco and he’d push me in the cart and we’d get Polish hot dogs with extra sauerkraut. Man what a lucky kid I was! Papa always looked at Grandma Mary with such great love and admiration, and even when he was in a fragile state, he beamed from ear to ear when he saw any of his great grandchildren. He was the epitome of a family man - a role model of work ethic, integrity, honor, faith, and unconditional love. We’re all so very lucky to have had him in our lives and now still as our guardian angel. We love you Papa. Keep racing! 

Carl was an amazing Uncle.  Though situated far from my east coast home, the rare visits to Phoenix were always special.  
Carl was the consummate storyteller.  My dad (Carl's brother Hal) used to say Carl never talked about his WWII adventures as a Hump Pilot for the longest time, and once he opened up,  you couldn't get him to shut up - said, of course, with the utmost admiration and respect!  Carl's stories were sometimes frightening, often humorous, and always fascinating.  If he were not regaling you with a story of how he found himself flying unarmed and flanked by two MIGs, or how he landed after one mission with less than 5 gallons of fuel, he would be talking about something that happened at the Speed Shop.
Carl was always interested in what I had to say, too, no matter how trivial or insignificant.  He loved his family, God, his country and his life.  He was a very special person who will be missed by many.


My condolences to the family and fiends for the loss of your loved one, Carl, and may you be comforted by the future promises to mankind, from the Bible at Acts 24:15, Revelation 21:4, 5.

OBITUARY

Carl William Opitz

March 18, 1921 – April 23, 2018

A.L. Moore-Grimshaw Mortuaries Bethany Chapel

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