Vernon and Marjorie Williams Endowed Scholarship

While attending Wichita University on a scholarship, Vernon Williams was the leading scorer of the men’s basketball team in 1941, lettering his sophomore and junior years. He joined the Coast Guard to serve in WWII, helping load dynamite on ships in Honolulu. Vernon graduated from WU in 1946, continuing on to Washburn University School of Law. He worked for the Coleman Company as a Labor Relations Attorney for 38 years, retiring as vice president. He served in the Kansas House of Representatives from 1953-1957 and 1983-1991. Sadly, Mr. Williams lost his battle with cancer in 2001.

Marjorie Melton, after enrolling at WU in 1938, worked as a student assistant for $.20 per hour making enough to pay the $37.50 per semester for tuition and books. Marjorie lettered in field hockey, becoming one of the first WU letterwomen. Marjorie graduated in 1942 from the College of Education.

Throughout the years, they continued their support of WSU as season ticket holders for both basketball and baseball. In 1993, in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary, their children established the Vernon and Marjorie Williams Endowed Scholarship for Students in the Department of Health and Physical Education.