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obit for William J. Srna, born 1919 Kansas, died 1944 California

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obit for William J. Srna, born 1919 Kansas, died 1944 California

Posted: 30 Apr 2010 6:49PM GMT
Classification: Obituary
Surnames: Srna, Boucek, Hurley, Bevak
California Death Records
Last Name First Name Middle Birth Date Mother Maiden Father Last Sex Birth Place Death Place Residence Death Date SSN Age
SRNA WILLIAM JOHN 03/05/1919 SRNA M KANSAS KERN 01/22/1944 24 yrs

Minneapolis Messenger, Ottawa County, Kansas, Feb. 3, 1944, page 4:
LIEUT. WILLIAM J. SRNA
Lieutenant William J. Srna, only son of Mr. and Mrs. James Srna, was born march 5, 1919 at the home of his parents, located six and one-half miles southwest of Delphos, Kansas. Bill entered grade school in District No. 66 at the age of five and was graduated at the age of thirteen. He entered Minneapolis high school in 1932, and was graduated in May, 1936. During his high school career he won a Highly Superior rating in the All State Music Contest at Emporia, Kansas. He also won fifth place in the National Music Contest at Madison, Wisconsin, May, 1936, and fourth place in Cleveland, Ohio, in May 1936.
Bill entered Hutchinson Business College in June, 1936, and was graduated from there April 4, 1937. From there he returned to his home to farm with his father until he entered the Army Air Corps, September 23, 1942. He was first sent to Sheppard Field, Texas, where he was stationed until he moved to the Classification Center at San Antonio, Texas. He was then moved to Ellington Field, near Houston, and from there to Big Spring, Texas where he received his wings and was graduated as Bombardier on October 7, 1943. Bill returned home on leave with Mrs. James Srna, Patricia Boucek, and Frances Hurley who attended the graduation exercises at Big Spring. Bill and Frances left for Salt Lake City, Utah, and were united in marriage there on Saturday, October 30, in the Cathedral of the Madeleine. They resided in Salt Lake City until November 21, 1943, at which time they moved to Pocatello, Idaho, where Bill was stationed until December 5. From Pocatello they moved to Muroc Field, california, where Bill was to have completed his three final phases of training; two of which were successfully completed.
Lieutenant Srna was killed at Muroc Field, California, Saturday morning, January 22, in the crash of a B-24 bomber. Short services were held in Riverside, Calif. at 6:00 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. The remains were accompanied by his wife and a military escort to Salina, and Friday afternoon were brought to the home, where they remained until the morning of the services which were held at the St. Paul's Catholic Church Monday, January 31, 1944 in charge of Rev. Anthony Bevak, assisted by the Rt. Rev. Msgr. James McErlean of Concordia and Chaplain Manning of Smoky Hill Air Field, Salina. Pallbearers and a firing squad were provided from Smoky Hill Air Field. He was laid to rest in the Bohemian cemetery.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs. Frances Srna; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Srna; his cousin, Miss Patricia Boucek, who made her home with them, and numerous relatives and hosts of friends.


On Christmas, 1947, Frances Hurley Srna married Ross Douglas Skinner of Delphos, Kansas. Ross was in medical school, became a doctor, and died in 1970. Frances survived him.

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