John William Short III, 78, Sarasota, died March 18, 2004. He was born Sept. 28, 1925, in Crane, Mo., and came to Sarasota 12 years ago from Rockville, Md. He was director of budget and research for Montgomery County, Md., and was a member of International City Managers Association and Municipal Financial Officers Association. He served from 1944 to 1946 during World War II in the Army's 87th Infantry Division, and was in the Battle of the Bulge. He received a bachelor's degree in public administration in 1950 from the University of Missouri and a master's degree in public administration in 1965 from the University of Kansas. He was a Congregationalist. Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Marjorie R.; sons John R. of Germantown, Md., and William A. of Tampa; a sister, Sarah F. Lawson of Charleston, S.C.; and two grandchildren. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Toale Brothers Funeral Home, Colonial Chapel. A memorial service will be at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday at First Congregational United Church of Christ. Burial with honors will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Southwest Florida, 5955 Rand Blvd., Sarasota, FL 34238; or to American Cancer Society, 1750 17th St., Suite A, Sarasota, FL 34234.