PLOVER, WI (WSAU) -- A prominent survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor from central Wisconsin has died.
Will Lehner of Plover passed away on Sunday at the age of 98, just weeks after releasing the book “Legacy of a Pearl Harbor Survivor.”
Lehner served on the USS Ward, the vessel widely recognized as having fired the first shots of World War II at a miniature Japanese submarine that it encountered in the early morning hours on the day of the infamous attack at Pearl Harbor. The veteran was also well-known around central Wisconsin for numerous presentations about World War II at schools and civic events; and as part of a Discovery Channel documentary filmed in 2002 that confirmed the existence of the sub that started World War II.
Lehner was a member of VFW post 10262 in Plover, DAV Chapter 30, American Legion Post 6, and was president, director, and chief cook for the Isaac Walton League.
Visitation will be from 3:30 to 7 PM on Friday, Jan. 10, 2020 at St. Bronislava Catholic Church at 3200 Plover Road in Plover. A Mass of Christian Burial for Will Lehner will be held at 11 AM on Saturday, January 11, 2020, and burial with full military honors will take place in the parish cemetery.
More information at www.pisarskifuneralhome.com.
