Willis Harold McQueary, 86, Osawatomie, died Monday, Nov. 26, 2001, in the IHS of Woodstock in Woodstock, Ga. He had only moved to Woodstock a short time ago because of his health.

Mr. McQueary was a native and longtime resident of Osawatomie and was a well-known attorney.

He was born Aug. 12, 1915, in Osawatomie, the only child of John S. and Maud Forest Harold McQueary. He grew up in Osawatomie, attended local schools and was a 1932 graduate of Osawatomie High School.

He attended Baker University and the University of Kansas School of Law, earning his law degree in 1938. He was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and the University of Kansas Alumni Association.

After his graduation, he returned to Osawatomie and began working with Ben F. Winchel, a local attorney.

He served with the U.S. Army during World War II and was a captain in the Judge Advocacy Corps. He was stationed in San Antonio, Texas, Battle Creek, Mich., and Omaha, Neb.

After the war he returned to Osawatomie where he resumed his law practice and became an active member of the community. He served as attorney for the city of Osawatomie from 1939 until 1977; attorney for Osawatomie school system; attorney for Miami County; assistant attorney general of the State of Kansas in the 1950s; and as defense attorney for the state of Kansas in the landmark case of Brown vs. The Board of Education.

Mr. McQueary was licensed to practice before the Supreme Court of the State of Kansas and the U.S. Supreme Court. He served for many years as a member of the board of directors for First National Bank in Osawatomie, now First Option Bank. He was one of the original group of investors who built the bowling alley and the nursing home. He was instrumental in getting the West Highlands subdivision started. He was a partner of Willard Maichel and Jack Jacobson in the grocery store business and was the owner of Osawatomie Abstract Co. He and Craig Powell became law partners in March 1975.

He married Dorothy Walker and she preceded him in death Nov. 30, 1944.

He met Rachel A. Brazzell Young while in the service. They were married June 9, 1945 in San Antonio, Texas. They made their home in Omaha before moving to Osawatomie. They became the parents of two children. She preceded him in death April 8, 1998.

Mr. McQueary was a charter member of the Osawtomie Chamber of Commerce, Osawatomie Lion's Club and the Osawatomie Golf Course Association. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks Lodge No. 921 and the Victory Baptist Church, both of Osawatomie, and the Kansas Bar Association.

In his later years, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, Rachel, in their motor home and spending time in their home in Texas. He served as a board member of the Family Motor Coach Association and the Blue Bird Motor Home Club.

Survivors include his two sons, John David McQueary of Woodstock, and Michael F. McQueary of Cumming, Ga.; two stepdaughters, Laura Irene Carriker of Lake Quivira, Kan., and Roberta Ann Brownfield of Reno, Nev.; eight grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Services were held Saturday in the church. Burial was in Osawatomie Cemetery with military services. Pallbearers were Jim White, John Yoger, Glen Cannon, Craig Powell, Darrell Peckman and Kent Perry. Honorary pallbearers were Willard Maichel, Ted Lewis, Gordon Schrader, Kenneth Young and Lester Woods.

Memorials can be made to the church.