John W. “Bill” Briery

Services for John W. “Bill” Briery, 82, Topeka, will be at 10 a.m. Monday at Highland Park United Methodist Church in Topeka. Burial with military honors will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery in TopekaMr. Briery died Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2007, at his home. He was born May 31, 1924, in Topeka, the son of Clifford C. and Marcia White Briery. He graduated from Topeka High School in 1942 and attended both Washburn University and Kansas University. He was a lifelong resident of Topeka.Mr. Briery enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in March of 1943. He served in World War II as a B-26 pilot with the 596th Bomb Squad in the 397th Bomb Group. He served in the Air Force Reserve after active duty and retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1984. He worked in sales for Topeka Builders Supply, Farmer’s Insurance Group and Whelan’s Lumber, from which he retired in 1984. He was a past commander of the local Military Order of World Wars and Military Officers of America Association. He was also active in the Air Force Association and American Legion. He devoted many hours and his talents to the Combat Air Museum in Topeka. He was an active member of Highland Park United Methodist Church since 1957 and a past president of United Methodist Men.He enjoyed traveling with his wife after he retired and attending the annual reunion of his bomb group. Most recently they were honored to attend the dedications of the World War II Memorial and the Air Force Memorial in Washington. He and his wife supported the Kansas University women’s basketball team and on Dec. 31, 2006, he was recognized as an honorary coach at a Lady Jayhawks home game. Mr. Briery married Marcella Frost. They shared 62 years of marriage. She survives, of the home.Other survivors include two daughters: Sharon Reynolds and husband Bill, Lawrence, and Zona Hudkins and husband Steve, Topeka; a brother, Charles C., Sun City West, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Cris Reynolds Bandle, Greg Reynolds, Michelle Hudkins Ellis and Tricia Hudkins Dehn; nine great-grandchildren, Lauren, Carolyn and Katherine Bandle, Cameron and Caitlyn Reynolds, Jordyn and Kristian Ellis and Kathryn and Reagan Dehn; a niece, Linda Briery Beckman; and a nephew, David Briery.Mr. Briery was preceded in death by his parents, Clifford C. and Marcia White Briery. Friends may call from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel in Topeka, where the family will receive friends from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.The family suggests memorials to the church, 2914 S.E. Michigan Ave., Topeka 66605, or the Combat Air Museum, P.O. Box 19142, Topeka 66619. Online condolences may be sent at www.penwellgabel.com.