William Douglas

William John Thomas Douglas, age 78, of Topeka, Kansas formerly of Tyro and Coffeyville, Kansas died Thursday, April 5, 2013 in Topeka, Kansas.

Celebration of Life Graveside Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at the Robbins Cemetery with the Reverend Mark Wilson of the of the First Church of God officiating under the direction of the FordWulfBruns Chapel.

Visitation hours will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, April 8, 2013 with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the FordWulfBruns Chapel. Friends may leave online condolences at www.fordwulfbrunsfuneralhome.com.

The family has suggested memorials to the Jayhawk Area Agency of Aging or Program Home Care Assistance Shawnee County Health Agency and contributions may be left at the FordWulfBruns Chapel.

William John Thomas Douglas was born January 31, 1935 in Lenapah, Oklahoma to Thomas William and Ruth E. White Douglas. John grew up in Lenapah and attended schools there. On July 27, 1957 John married Mary Louise Ferguson in Miami, Oklahoma. The couple made their home in Tulsa, Oklahoma before moving to Tacoma, Washington. They returned to Coffeyville, Kansas in 1997 and in 1999 moved to Tyro, Kansas. Mary preceded him in death on August 22, 2003.

On January 17, 1961 John entered the United States Army and served until his honorable discharge on January 16, 1963. John worked for Continental Lime Company until retiring in 1997.

Survivors include two sons Johnnie and wife Teresa Douglas of Puyallup, WA, Frank and wife Misty Douglas of Tacoma, WA two daughters Beverly and husband Marc Nelson of Spanahay, WA and Rebecca and husband Mark Garrison of Topeka, KS two brothers Sam Douglas of Grove, OK and Ralph Douglas of Lenapah, OK one sister Shirley Ellis of Lenapah, OK ten grandchildren, Danielle, Kimberlee, Kiersten, Emily, and Jesse Douglas, Katie Ley, Tisa Cash, Haillee Nelson, Joshua Nelson and Addyson Garrison one great grandson Noah Douglas.

John was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary, two daughters Debbie and Gayla, one sister Marie Lentz.