Hayward J. “Hub” Brill, 86, Lawrence, formerly of Ottawa, died Tuesday, April 19 at Brandon Woods Retirement Community in Lawrence.  He was born on Monday, March 2, 1925, in Elk Falls, the son of Paul T. and Victoria Christensen Brill.

 He graduated from Elk Falls High School with the class of 1943. Hub was an Ottawa resident since 1946.

 He worked in construction following his military service and then worked for Aerie Lodge #2700, Fraternal Order of Eagles in Ottawa as the club manager for more than 30 years, starting in April of 1955 and retiring in April of 1985.

 Hub entered the United States Army Air Force at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas on August 13, 1943, at the age of 18.   He was assigned as tail gunner on the B-24 aircraft, which flew missions in the South Philippines’ Liberation, China, New Guinea, Battle of Luzon, the Western Pacific and other Eastern mandates.  He earned decorations and citations of the APT with six Stars, the Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters and two overseas bars.  He was discharged at Lincoln Army Air Field in Lincoln, Nebraska on Oct. 17, 1945, with the rank of Staff Sergeant.

 He was a member of Aerie Lodge #2700, Fraternal Order of Eagles; Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Post #5901; Ottawa Lodge #803, Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks; and Warren Black Post #60, American Legion, all of Ottawa.

On September 9, 1962, Hub was united in marriage with Betty Lee Miller in Miami, Okla.   She preceded him in death on August 15, 2008.

Survivors include stepdaughters, Patricia Horne and her husband, Charles, Vassar, Linda Potocnik and her husband, Rudy, Chanute, Karen Miller, Ottawa; stepsons, Gary Gumm and his wife, Susan, Omaha, Neb., Dennis Gumm and his wife, Merry Lou, Douglass; a sister, Virginia Caldwell, Pacifica, Calif.; 13 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; six great-great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his wife, parents, sisters Marge Trawick and Betty Runn, and brother Ted Brill.

Funeral will be 10 a.m. Saturday, April 23 at the Dengel & Son Mortuary in Ottawa.  He will lie in state from noon today to the service hour at Dengel & Son Mortuary, where the family will meet with friends from 7 to 8 this evening.

 Burial will be in Highland Cemetery in Ottawa.  Memorial contribution are suggested to Grace Hospice of Lawrence or Alzheimer’s Association, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, KS 66067.  Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net.