William R. Brown

William Randolph Brown

William Randolph Brown, 78, Topeka, died Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2003, in Topeka. Mr. Brown served in the U.S. Navy during World War II aboard the USS Johnston in the battle of Leyte Gulf in the Philippines when it was sunk on Oct. 25, 1944. After his release from active duty he returned to Washington, D.C. He moved to Topeka in 1949 and worked for Myers Yearbook Co. before joining the staff at Jostens Yearbook where he remained until retiring in 1989. He was born Dec. 5, 1924, in Warrenton, Va., the son of William Wallace and Effie Mae Halley Brown. He was reared in Washington, D.C., and graduated from high school there. Mr. Brown was a member of the American Legion, Pleasant Hill United Methodist Church and the USS Johnston/Hoel Association. He married Doris J. Adams on March 6, 1948, in Rockville, Md. She survives. Other survivors include two daughters, Carol L. Bush, Parsons, and Bobbi J. Baker, Papillion, Neb.; a son, Gary D. Brown, Lawrence; and eight grandchildren. Services will be at 11 a.m. Friday at the Parker-Price Mortuary Chapel. Burial will be in Meriden Cemetery. Mr. Brown will lie in state after 3 p.m. today at the mortuary where visitation will be from 7 to 8 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1315 S.W. Arrowhead Road, Topeka, 66614-4020; or to the Topeka Rescue Mission, 600 N. Kansas Ave., Topeka, 66608-0350.