William Allen Brooks, 77, died unexpectedly of a heart attack sometime in mid January in his apartment in Paola. His unattended death occurred several days before he was found. An autopsy was performed at the University of Kansas Medical Center.

"Bill", as he was commonly known, was born June 18, 1925, in Columbus, KS, the only son of Wilber F. and Nellie Brooks. He was born near the small town where his father was born and where his great-great-grandfather homesteaded and raised nine sons, all of whom fought in the Civil War.

The family moved from Columbus to Joplin, MO and then to Osawatomie. He attended Osawatomie High School and graduated with the Class of 1943. His parents owned and operated Osawatomie Floral, a business they started in 1948. He worked as an assistant manager at J.C. Penney's and then as a manager for Nelson Hamilton, both in Osawatomie.

He entered the U.S. Army, training in Pennsylvania and Washington state. He was in the Corps of Engineers Combat Division. He received commendations from Okinawa Base Command for meritorious service on Okinawa Shima, Ryukyus Island between April 7, 1945 and Feb. 1, 1946. He also served on Iwo Jima near the cemetery where a good friend from Osawatomie High School was buried He served on Saipan.

After being discharged from the Army as staff sergeant in 1946, he and his father operated an auto parts business. He then decided to return to school.

He earned his bachelor's degree in 1950 from Baker University in Baldwin City, where he was on the Dean's Honor Roll all four years. He also earned his master's degree from Baker. He was a certified public accountant.

Mr. Brooks was employed by Arthur Anderson Co. from 1951 to 1953, when he joined the Cummins dealership. He was office manager for five years at Cummins K.C. Diesel Sales Corp., and at the age of 34, was promoted to controller and general manager. He retired at the age of 40 to return to school because he wanter to teach.

He brushed up on his studies at home for a year and then went to the University of Kansas in Lawrence to earn his doctorate in economics and business.

He taught at Baker University for several years and then he and his family moved to Rolla, MO where he taught at the University of Missouri-Rolla. He taught soldiers at Fort Leonard Wood and had made several trips to Saudi Arabia to teach soldiers.

He married Dorothy Ruble, a former Parker resident, in 1948, and they had two children, Paula Lea and William, Jr. They were divorced after nearly 40 years of marriage.

He later married Pam Bronson of Columbia, MO who had three children, Jennifer, Sherilyn and Mathew. This marriage ended in divorce.

Mr. Brooks was a Sunday School teacher at one of the Baptist churches in Rolla and was treasurer for the church. He attended a Methodist church while living in Kansas City.

After retiring, he moved to Paola in 1991. For a short period he taught classes at Johnson County Community College. His pastimes included computers, photography, model cars and electronics. He also did some writing.

A sister, Mary Louise Maddox, died in September 1992.

Surviving are his son, William Brooks, Jr. of the Washington, D.C. area; his daughter, Paula Keith of Wichita; a sister, Jo Anne Stone of Osawatomie; and three grandchildren.

Graveside services were in Osawatomie Cemetery under the direction of the Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home.