William Vsetecka of Great Bend, will celebrate his 88th birthday on April 9, with a card shower.
William was born on April 9, 1926, to Emil and Amielia Vsetecka. He grew up on a farm near Timken. At age 15, he worked for the Timken Grocery Store. He enlisted in the Navy at age 17 and served from March 9, 1944 to April 15, 1947. He served in the South Pacific for two years on the USS Bladen, where he fought the battle of Iwo Jima on Feb. 25, 1945 and the Battle of Okinawa on April 1, 1945. On Aug. 29, 1951 he married Dolores Suchy. She died on Aug. 8, 1998. He drove for Graves Truck Lines for 37 years, retiring in 1987. He has four  children, Morris Vsetecka and Craig Vsetecka, both of Great Bend, Colleen Sharp and husband Rick of Ellinwood and Pam Vsetecka of Newton; five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Cards may be sent to 2207 Madison, Great Bend, Ks. 67530.