Harry C. Watral, age 95, of Hayward, died Saturday, February 1, 2014 at Water's Edge Care Center in Hayward under the care of Regional Hospice.

Harry Carl Watral was born December 7, 1918 in Benld, IL, the son of Safron and Alexandria (Garbara) Watral. His father was born and lived in the foothills of the Ural Mountains in Russia and his mother was born and lived in the Russian Ukraine until she was in her late teens. They married and immigrated to the United States settling in a small town near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Harry's parents moved to Benld, IL where he was born. When Harry was 9 months old, the family moved to Lugerville, WI to farm 40 acres of land.

While he was in high school he played football and baseball. His chores at the farm included taking the cows out to pasture, picking rocks in the field, milking cows, delivering milk, and did various chores at the Lugerville sawmill. Harry hunted, trapped, swam, and enjoyed the outdoors.

He graduated from Phillips High School on May 26, 1937. After graduation, he worked picking steel (railroad tracks) for the Soo Line Railroad, at Jansen's Squirrel Lake Lodge , Minocqua ,WI and a lumber mill in Ontonagon, MI. At the resort he would feed "Mose" the Muskie and swim across the lake for the pleasure of the customers.
While Alaska was still a territory Harry moved to Fairbanks in 1940 to trap, but discovered that he needed to be a resident of Alaska for one year before he was allowed to trap. He went to work for US Smelting Refining and Mining Company as a nozzle man and driller. His duties included laying hydraulic pipe, doing placer mining, and driving truck.

He was drafted into the US Army on July 10, 1942 and served as a Heavy Mortar Crew Chief. His duties included control, coordination, and tactical deployment of the mortar crew. Harry received decorations and citations for: ETO for 5 months, 1 battle star in ETO, Asiatic Pacific Ribbon with 1 battle star, Good Conduct Metal, Victory Ribbon, and American Theatre Ribbon. He was honorably discharged from the Army with the rank of Sergeant; Company A, 97th Mortar Battalion on November 5, 1945.

Harry then went to work for Arctic Contractors in prospecting and drilling for oil in Point Barrow, Alaska. He was involved in the Exploration of Naval Petroleum Reserve No. 4.

In 1955, Harry moved to Hayward and married Marion Leisch. He built and operated the Riverside Motel. Harry and Marion then sold the motel after their son Wayne was born and built a house on Highway B in Hayward. He continued to hunt, fish, trap, and enjoy the outdoors. He was a Licensed Guide for hunting and fishing. He also was involved in helping get the Little League Baseball program started in Hayward, taught Hunter Safety, coached Little League, and umpired softball and baseball.

Harry is remembered by his family and many friends for the wonderful stories about life in the outdoors.

He is survived his son Wayne; and his grandchildren Breeanna and Kristine.

Harry was preceded in death by his parents Safron and Alexandria; wife Marion; daughter –in-law Jeanette (Myers) Watral, sisters Anna, Helen, and Rosella; and his brothers John, Peter, and Michael.

No service will be held.