Obituary: William F. Kralik

Dr. William F. Kralik, J.D., Esq. 1916 ~ 2007 William (Bill) Kralik, 90, passed away March 27, 2007, in Salt Lake City due to a stroke. He was born May 27, 1916 in Weston, Saunders, NE to Frank and Mary Woita Kralik. He graduated from Weston High School as valedictorian, and received a bachelor's degree in engineering. He graduated from the University of Nebraska School of Law and was admitted to the Nebraska State Bar in 1939. He practiced law in Lincoln, NE, and served on the staff of the Attorney General. He served as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy in World War II from the beginning until the war was over. His last orders were when the base closed as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces in Western Australia. He served the Navy from Western Australia to Asia, Singapore, and so on. He also served in the Korean War and was appointed to serve on the War Crimes Commission. He was Commander over the submarine repair units, Commanders submarines, fleet air forces and ARD, the floating dry dock. He was a member of the Sheriff's Association for more than 50 years. He loved music, to sing, to dance, winning many dance awards. He was an avid hunter, trapper, marksman, and equestrian. He was a beautiful artist and played the piano. Bill knew how to dress impeccably. He was a brilliant man, a true scholar, and an inventor. Bill is probably best known and loved for his spiritual strength imparted to others. He is survived by two sisters, Marie Bodzek, Linwood, NE; and Lillian Satzwadel, Fon de Lac, WI. He was predeceased by 10 siblings, six sisters and four brothers. Bill married Nola Jean Nielsen on June 1, 1949. They had six children, Charles Patrick McCrary, Constance Jean (Greg) Goates, Michael Stephen (Sylvia) Kralik, Jonathan Christopher (Susan) Kralik, Kathleen Maryanne (Bryan) Crawford, and Suzanne Marie (Barry) Nielsen. Bill has 12 grandchildren, Christine, Elizabeth, Jennifer, Stephen, Rebecca, Paris, James, Grant, Matthew, Jessilyn, Gracie, and Lisette. He has been in the oil business since a boy of 13 and involved in humanitarian efforts. He was an accomplished poet, and he could write a whole poem within a few minutes. One of his thousands follows: "Happiness is a gift of the heart, born of the wishes therein, when, you forget yourself, wherever you are, and begin each day with a grin. You can't be unhappy with a smile on your face, nor, when your thoughts, are unselfish; kindness wells, in the realm of God's grace, not more in life do you need. The hand of the Lord will your being caress, when goodness dwells in your soul. No more can there be than true happiness, whatever in life be your goal." Through the many years of his practice of law, he freely gave of his services, never asking for compensation of any kind, always striving to solve clients' difficulties with a smile on his face saying, "The day will never be brighter." He loved telling jokes, his favorite being: A little girl in class was drawing a picture, when the teacher asked what she was drawing, she replied, "A picture of God." The teacher responded, "We don't know what God looks like." The girl replied, "Just wait. I'll show you." Bill Kralik was an extremely loving, caring, and giving man, husband, grandfather, and dad, and will be greatly missed. His greatest love, though he did not say it much, due to the emotional pain, his kindness and gentle heart, and the distance involved, was his family. He missed seeing his children together and would have given anything to accomplish this. Funeral services will be held Sat., March 31, 2007, at 11:00 a.m. in the Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 East 1300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84108, where friends may call Friday 6-8 p.m. and Sat., from 10-10:45 a.m. Interment at Larkin Sunset Lawn. Online condolences at www.larkinmortuary.com