CM3c William Lester Kvidera, entered the U.S. Navy on June 21, 1940, where he lost his life on December 7, 1941 at the age of 22 on the Battleship USS Oklahoma in the Japanese invasion of Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. After nearly seventy-seven years, he will now be brought back home to his final resting place. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, November 16, 2018 at 1:00 PM at St. Paul Catholic Church in Traer with Father Jon Seda and Father Michael Hutchison officiating. Interment will follow at St. Paul Catholic Cemetery in Traer with full Military Honors.

William was born on July 12, 1919 in Otter Creek Township, Tama County, rural Toledo, Iowa, the son of James and Helen (Kunc) Kvidera.

As a young man he enjoyed carpentry. Prior to joining the Navy he worked for area farmers.

Survivors include one brother, John (Patricia) Kvidera of Traer; two sisters-in-law, Phyllis Kvidera of Des Moines, and Beverly Kvidera of Hudson; and many nieces and nephews.

Members of the Kvidera family that have passed away are his parents; four brothers, James, Steve, Charles, and Ralph Kvidera; two sisters-in-law, Maxine Hartmann, and Bernice Kvidera; and three nephews, Lee Kvidera, Maurice Kvidera, and Kevin Kvidera.