Lt. Col.Johnw. Briery, Usaf (Ret)

Lt. Col. John W. "Bill" Briery, USAF (Ret) passed away at home on Tuesday, February 27th, 2007. A lifelong Topeka resident, John was born in Topeka on May 31st, 1924. He graduated from Topeka High in 1942 and then enlisted in the U S Army Air Corp in March, 1943. After his return from active duty, he attended both Washburn University and Kansas University. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Col. Clifford C. Briery and Marcia White. John is survived by his wife of 62 years, Marcella Frost Briery; two daughters: Sharon Reynolds (Bill), Lawrence, and Zona Hudkins (Steve), Topeka; four grandchildren: Cris Reynolds Bandle (Jeff), Lawrence; Greg Reynolds, Overland Park; Michelle Hudkins Ellis (Dave), Sioux Falls, SD and Tricia Hudkins Dehn (Corey), Topeka; nine great grandchildren: Lauren, Carolyn and Katherine Bandle; Cameron and Caitlyn Reynolds; Jordyn and Kristian Ellis and Kathryn and Reagan Dehn; one brother, Charles C. Briery, Sun City West, AZ; one niece, Linda Briery Beckman and one nephew, David Briery. John was dedicated to his country, his church, his family and his community. John and Marcella would have celebrated their 63rd anniversary on March 4th, 2007. Lt. Col. Briery served in WWII as a B-26 pilot in the Army Air Corp with the 596th Bomb Squad in the 397th Bomb Group. After active duty, he served in the Air Force Reserve until he retired in 1984. John and Marcella traveled extensively in retirement and enjoyed the annual reunion of his bomb group. Most recently they were honored to attend the dedications of the WWII Memorial and the Air Force Memorial in Washington. John was a past commander of the local Military Order of World Wars (MOWW) and a member of the Military Officers of America Association (MOAA). He was also active in the Air Force Association and the American Legion. Lt. Col. Briery devoted many hours and his talents to the Combat Air Musuem in Topeka. In civilian life, John worked in sales for Topeka Builders Supply, Farmer's Insurance Group and Whelan's Lumber where he retired in 1984. John and Marcella have been active members of Highland Park United Methodist Church since 1957. John was a past President of United Methodist Men. Retirement also gave John and Marcella the opportunity to travel and support the Kansas University Women's Basketball Team. He knew the coaches, the players and their families. On December 31st, 2006, he was recognized by the team as an honorary coach at a Lady Jayhawks home game. He often said the team was his second family. The family wishes to express John's thanks to Coach Henrickson and the team for their kindness and consideration. Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Monday at Highland Park United Methodist Church. Burial will follow in Mount Hope Cemetery where military honors will be presented by a burial detail from Whiteman Air Force Base, Knob Noster, MO. John will lie in state from 11:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel where the family will receive friends from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be given to the Highland Park United Methodist Church, 2914 S.E. Michigan Ave., Topeka, KS 66605 or the Combat Air Museum, P.O. Box 19142, Topeka, KS 66619.